A thought on Righteousness

[Stewart (SDA)]

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled." (Matt 5:6)

Filled with what?

Filled with Righteousness. What kind of Righteousness?

Self-righteousness? No. Jesus assigns this blessing to those that hunger and thirst for

genuine righteousness -- the righteousness of God.

Is that righteousness filthy rags?

Absolutely not! Is that righteousness attainable?

It is indeed attainable. Why? Because if Christ can be formed within us, then His righteousness can be "in" us.

“Let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. (1Jn 3:7)

But is genuine righteousness formed out of what we already possess? No. We have no raw material in us, from which righteousness can be made.

There is no inherent element (or trait) in any of us from which genuine righteousness can be manufactured. We are completely, altogether, unrighteous; we have gone completely, altogether, astray.

But Christ bore our sins “on the tree” that we might be “dead to sins, [and] should live unto righteousness… For [we] WERE as sheep going astray; but are now returned to the Shepherd and Bishop of [our] souls. (1Pet 2:24-25)

Consider the well-known words relating to man's return:

“Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near:

Let the wicked [man] forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and [let him return] to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.” (Isa 55:6-8)

Why is the unrighteous man to forsake his own thoughts?

And why is the wicked man to abandon his own way of doing things?

Because if we are to “seek... the Lord”, then this is necessary.

If we desire to "return unto the Lord", then it is necessary.

God’s thoughts, and God’s ways are not our thoughts and our ways. So what are we to do? We are to abandon the one that we may have the other.

(Or Must we abandon our own way of doing things, and be left with nothing? No, there is something far better than our own way; something far better than our own thoughts.)

Let us forsake our thoughts and our ways that we may have His thoughts and His ways: that we may have His righteousness.

The righteousness of God can be put, and will literally be put, "into" and "upon" all that hunger and thirst for it, that they may do righteousness. God is able to do this for anyone that believes it is possible for Him to do it. But again, if righteousness comes to a person, then it comes to them as a new and foreign element.

We may be "made the righteousness of God" in Christ. Not in proxy, but in fact. (2Cor 5:21)

“Let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as He is righteous. (1Jn 3:7)

We “seek” and find the righteousness of God or we will not be saved. But we should know where and how to seek for His righteousness, because many have sought for it in the wrong places. Some seek the impartation of God’s righteousness through the keeping of the law. But we will never find righteousness that way. We may see it there, in the law of God, but we will never attain righteousness there.

We cannot truly keep the Sabbath, unless we have hungered and thirsted – craved – for righteousness. If we have not known that experience, then perhaps we have kept the Sabbath in name only.

Can the blood of Christ cleanse us from the defilement of sin? To what extent can it cleanse us? It can cleanse us so that we may be whiter than snow. How white? Whiter than snow. In this life, or in the life to come?

________

Stewart

[Guest]

Amen

[Guest]

In this life.

[skyblue888]

Stewart, I just read your last post and I cannot help but say that I have been over the same ground as you have and that for years. Yes the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sins and makes us white but how? How can the blood of Christ do all this for us? Here is the inspired answer: "By faith take hold of the merits of Christ, and the soul-cleansing blood will be applied." E.G. White, Sings of the Times, July 21, 1890.

This I believe is the missing link in our message today. This was the link that God provided for us especially in 1888 but the light was resisted. "Faith can lay hold of the merits of Christ, the remedy provided for sin." E.G. White, Review and Herald, Nov.4, 1890.

As we lay hold of the merits of Christ the soul-cleansing blood is applied and we are clothed with the robe of Christ's righteousness. This robe has not one thread of human devising in it. This is the wedding garment, the pure garment of the love of God which is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us (Rom.5:5) as we approach God trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. See 1 S.M.354. And the righteousness of Christ is made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God. See T.M.92

"Righteousness is love and love is the light and the life of God," and "the life of God in the soul is man's only hope." M.B.18; M.H.115.

"Looking unto Jesus and trusting in His merits, we appropriate the blessings of light and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." 5 T 744.

Salvation is gained through merits but only the merits of Christ will avail with God. Thus the message for our time is: "Present your case before God pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's cross." E.G. White, Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.

sky

[Stewart (SDA)]

Thank you Sky. Yes, in my view these kinds of thoughts should be commonplace, and even well-worn (to use the term). But the thought I expressed here was put together in response to a visiting speaker to our church, who implied that righteousness is not attainable.

We cannot "merit" God's favor: we are never good enough. But yes indeed -- His merits, His qualities, may be taken hold of by the hand of faith. His righteousness alone, avails.

Forsaking "self" is not easy. But "in order for us to work as Christ worked, self must be crucified. It is a painful death; but it is life, life to the soul." (6T 125)

May we have an abiding love for truth.

Stewart.

[Guest]

Thank you Sky. Yes, in my view these kinds of thoughts should be commonplace, and even well-worn (to use the term). But the thought I expressed here was put together in response to a visiting speaker to our church, who implied that righteousness is not attainable.

We cannot "merit" God's favor: we are never good enough. But yes indeed -- His merits, His qualities, may be taken hold of by the hand of faith. His righteousness alone, avails.

Forsaking "self" is not easy. But "in order for us to work as Christ worked, self must be crucified. It is a painful death; but it is life, life to the soul." (6T 125)

May we have an abiding love for truth.

Stewart.

Amen Stewart

[skyblue888]

Thank you Sky. Yes, in my view these kinds of thoughts should be commonplace, and even well-worn (to use the term). But the thought I expressed here was put together in response to a visiting speaker to our church, who implied that righteousness is not attainable.

We cannot "merit" God's favor: we are never good enough. But yes indeed -- His merits, His qualities, may be taken hold of by the hand of faith. His righteousness alone, avails.

Forsaking "self" is not easy. But "in order for us to work as Christ worked, self must be crucified. It is a painful death; but it is life, life to the soul." (6T 125)

May we have an abiding love for truth.

Stewart.

Yes self must die or be "crucified" which is just another way of saying that we must be emptied of self. But this crucifixion we cannot do ourselves. This emptying of self can only be accomplished by Christ. Our part is to consent for Him to accomplish the work once we have taken hold of His merits.

"Those who live mearest to Jesus most clearly discern the frailty and sinfulness of humanity, and their only hope is in the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour." G.C.471.

"No outward observances can take the place of simple faith and entire renunciation of self. But no man can empty himself of self. We can only consent for Christ to accomplish the work. Then the language of the soul will be, Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Your property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it pure for You. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Your love can flow through my soul." C.O.L.159.

"God will accept everyone that comes to Him trusting wholly in the merits of a crucified and risen Savior. Love springs up in the heart. There may be no ecstasy of feeling but there is an abiding, peaceful trust. Duty becomes a delight, and sacrifice a pleasure. The path that before seemed shrouded in darkness becomes bright with beams from the Sun of Righteousness. This is walking in the light as Christ is in the light." 1 S.M.354.

sky

* the question of the merits of Christ and the necessity of appropriating them by faith is not a matter of "common place" Stewart. When was the last time you heard a lecture on the merits of Christ? Whenever the merits of Christ are mentioned, the first question that our people ask is, What do you mean by the "merits" of Christ?

[Stewart (SDA)]

STEWART

WE MAYBE not be able to obtain this with our

own strength or own wisdom but JESUS will do

this for us if we keep a close relationship with HIM

dgrimm60

I agree very much with that thought, dgrimm60. Thank you.

Jesus will do this for us if we keep a close relationship with Him.

Stewart.

[Guest]

Amen

[Stewart (SDA)]

Duplication error. Sorry about that.

Stewart.

[Stewart (SDA)]

* the question of the merits of Christ and the necessity of appropriating them by faith is not a matter of "common place" Stewart. When was the last time you heard a lecture on the merits of Christ? Whenever the merits of Christ are mentioned, the first question that our people ask is, What do you mean by the "merits" of Christ?

Admittedly, I do not think that I have ever heard a talk which focused [primarily] on Christ’s merits and the work of appropriating those merits by faith.

And indeed, the subject of attainable righteousness is not common-place in the church.

But I am confident, however, that this subject has been, and even now is being, presented by some of our ministering brethren. (Doubtless you recognize some of the good old thoughts from brethren Jones and Waggoner.)

In my earlier comment I meant that, while it should be a common-place and well-worn subject, I do acknowledge that that is not the reality of our present day.

Stewart.

[skyblue888]

I agree very much with that thought, dgrimm60. Thank you.

Jesus will do this for us if we keep a close relationship with Him.

Stewart.

[/quote}

______________________________________________________________________

All agree that we need to keep a close relationship with Him if we are to become overcomers but it is only a mere cliché if we do not know how to keep a close relationship with Him. First we must know how to find God's approval. It is written that "Through the merits of Christ we may find the approval of God." E.G. White, Our Father Cares, p.122.

Without His approval how could we have a close relationship with God? I invite you to read the following words very carefully and prayerfully:

"As we acknowledge before God our appreciation of Christ's merits, fragrance is given to our intercessions. As we approach God through the virtue of the Redeemer's merits, Christ places us close by his side, encircling us with His human arm, while with His divine arm He grasps the throne of the Infinite. He puts His merits as sweet incense, in the censor in our hands, in order to encourage our petitions" for "He has turned the merits of His sacrifice into prayer." E.G. White, Our Father Cares, p.120 and E.G. White Bible Commentary, Vol.7a, p.358.

Oh the simplicity of the plan of salvation! "The matter of salvation is just as simple as ABC, but we don't understand it." E.G. White, Manuscript 1, 1889.

Notice these words, "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you. Present your case before Him, pleading the merits of the blood shed for you upon Calvary's cross." E.G. White, Signs of the Times, July 4, 1892.

We are drawing to God that He may draw nigh to us as we approach Him through the all-sufficient merits of the blood that was shed for us upon Calvary's cross. We have God's approval and we are accepted in the Beloved as we approach Him through the merits of the blood that is of value beyond estimate because it was the life of God in His Son that was for us poured out upon Calvary's cross.

This is the hope that is set before us in the Scriptures. And what a living hope for, while we do this, "Christ places His own merits upon us and thus elevates us in the scales of moral value, with God." E.G. White, Our Father Cares, p.121.

Now we can better appreciate these words: "Though millions who need to be healed will reject His offered mercy, not one who trusts in the merits of Christ will be left to perish." P.P.203,432.

God blesses all but especially those who believe this.

sky

"The merits of His sacrifice are sufficient to present to the Father in our behalf." S.C.36.

[Robert]

In this life.

Then I suggest that you stop talking about it and do it!

As my wife use to say, "I would rather see a sermon then hear one." teehe

[Guest]

Hey Robert, where you been? Still listening to that Serequell guy?

[Guest]

Originally Posted By: skyblue888

* the question of the merits of Christ and the necessity of appropriating them by faith is not a matter of "common place" Stewart. When was the last time you heard a lecture on the merits of Christ? Whenever the merits of Christ are mentioned, the first question that our people ask is, What do you mean by the "merits" of Christ?

Admittedly, I do not think that I have ever heard a talk which focused [primarily] on Christ’s merits and the work of appropriating those merits by faith.

And indeed, the subject of attainable righteousness is not common-place in the church.

But I am confident, however, that this subject has been, and even now is being, presented by some of our ministering brethren. (Doubtless you recognize some of the good old thoughts from brethren Jones and Waggoner.)

In my earlier comment I meant that, while it should be a common-place and well-worn subject, I do acknowledge that that is not the reality of our present day.

Stewart.

When's the last time you heard one about overcoming sin by the power of the Holy Spirit?

[Stewart (SDA)]

Originally Posted By: Richard Holbrook

In this life.

Then I suggest that you stop talking about it and do it!

As my wife use to say, "I would rather see a sermon then hear one."

Is it possible Robert, that when we are "talking about it" in a group like this, that we are sometimes doing it as well?

I think we often show what spirit we possess through the manner and tone of our words.

Richard gave [in my view] a good, simple, answer to a question. He shows discretion in what he says, and I believe there is a sermon to be seen in that very thing.

"He that hath knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of a excellent [lit. calm/cool] spirit." (Prov 17:27)

Stewart.

[Stewart (SDA)]

Originally Posted By: Stewart (SDA)

Admittedly, I do not think that I have ever heard a talk which focused [primarily] on Christ's merits and the work of appropriating those merits by faith.

And indeed, the subject of attainable righteousness is not common-place in the church.

But I am confident, however, that this subject has been, and even now is being, presented by some of our ministering brethren. (Doubtless you recognize some of the good old thoughts from brethren Jones and Waggoner.)

In my earlier comment I meant that, while it should be a common-place and well-worn subject, I do acknowledge that that is not the reality of our present day.

Stewart.

When's the last time you heard one about overcoming sin by the power of the Holy Spirit?

Fair question Richard, I honestly don't know.

[Guest]

It's been a long time for me....

[Robert]

Originally Posted By: Robert

Then I suggest that you stop talking about it and do it!

As my wife use to say' date=' "I would rather see a sermon then hear one." [/quote']

Is it possible Robert, that when we are "talking about it" in a group like this, that we are sometimes doing it as well?

Romans 3:23 & 1 John 1:8 states that no one is without sin. Growth, yes...becoming less selfish, yes, but measuring up to God's perfect agape love in this life, well...even EGW says "no"!

PC- ST

PT- The Signs of the Times

DT- 06-09-81

AT- Idolatry Punished

PR- 21

Our earthly life, however long, honored, or useful it may be, is but childhood, frail, imperfect, and undeveloped. Manhood, with its full, perfect, glorious development, will come, when, freed from the taint of sin, we stand among the redeemed throng. Then [i.e., after we are freed from the taint of sin at the 2nd coming] we shall enjoy a life which measures with the life of God, and through everlasting ages we shall go on increasing in wisdom and knowledge.

[pnattmbtc]

Originally Posted By: dgrimm60

STEWART

WE MAYBE not be able to obtain this with our

own strength or own wisdom but JESUS will do

this for us if we keep a close relationship with HIM

dgrimm60

I agree very much with that thought, dgrimm60. Thank you.

Jesus will do this for us if we keep a close relationship with Him.

Stewart.

I agree with much of what's being expressed, but I see a possible problem here. If "we keep" a close relationship with Christ, and that is what allows Jesus to do that for us which we cannot obtain for ourselves, this seems to lead to a logical contradiction. How do "we keep" a close relationship with Christ? Is it by prayer, by Bible reading, confession of sin, etc.? If so, how is this not righteousness by works? We do certain things, which is how "we keep" a close relationship with Christ, and then Christ gives us that which we cannot obtain for ourselves. This doesn't seem to me to be expressing things correctly.

I think if instead of saying "we keep a close relationship with Christ" we say something like "we do not interpose a perverse will and thus frustrate His grace," that may express things a bit more clearly.

[Guest]

All our powers are to be used for Christ. This is the debt we each owe to God. In forming a relationship with Christ, the renewed man is but coming back to his appointed relationship with God. He is a representative of Christ, and he is ever to pray and watch unto prayer. His duties lie around him, nigh and afar off. {GCB, April 1, 1899 par. 16}

[Guest]

It is obedience to the word of the living God that brings men into close relationship with Christ. {RH, April 17, 1900 par. 8}

[Gail]

Is not a close relationship with Christ one of those things we can ask for, and it shall be given us (as the verse says)?

[Guest]

I believe so. And of course anyone you want to have a close relationship with, you will also want to spend time with.

[pnattmbtc]

Quote:

In every command or injunction that God gives there is a promise, the most positive, underlying the command. God has made provision that we may become like unto Him, and He will accomplish this for all who do not interpose a perverse will and thus frustrate His grace. (MB 76)