The Righteousness That is of Faith

 

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, 'the just shall live by faith'." (Romans 1:16,17)

For from the gospel (the written word breathed upon by the Holy Spirit to man's spirit), the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. (Faith in it's purest form is a revelation to man in the knowledge of God. That revelation is accompanied by an understanding of what to do from there, how to apply the revelation in our daily lives. When we willingly obey according to that revelation, we have become a believer of IT!) It is my understanding that the christian will receive little in addition to that which has been revealed until he/she willingly obeys what he/she has heard (that living word that we know we heard from God).

 

When we receive the Lord's salvation we are washed by His blood. His blood makes us righteous, as we heard the message of salvation and willingly obeyed. We BELIEVED and were washed clean of our sin. If the righteousness of God is revealed by faith, and we willingly obey (the works of faith), we are becoming the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Revelation by revelation He is building us up as a spiritual house (just as a physical house would be built). "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10) Are you still learning what it means to believe? Then, you are still learning what it means to become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!

 

"Little children, let no one deceive you. He who PRACTICES RIGHTEOUSNESS is righteous, just as He is righteous. Each time we hear Him speak (faith), and we willingly obey, we are being BELIEVERS and PRACTICING RIGHTEOUSNESS unto completion in Him, being made the righteousness of God in Christ!

He Who Is Least

 

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but HE WHO IS LEAST in the kingdom of heaven is greater then he"  (Matthew 11:11). Lets understand that Jesus is not talking about the departed saints and their habitation as there is no "suffering violence" (verse 12) where the Father and the Son reign. Jesus is talking about the kingdom of heaven that came into fruition when He arrived. So, it seems, we should discuss what we think our Lord meant when He said that those who are least in the kingdom are greater than he (John).

John the Baptist was an old testament prophet who was integral in readying Israel for her Messiah. His ministry was to call the people to the "baptism of repentance" for "the kingdom of heaven is at hand" or right before them. He admirably fulfilled that call as our Master said again "among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist". The new testament saint is similar to John as we also are born of women. The difference is we are also born of God! Our fathers and mothers made us but we dads and moms in Christ gladly step aside and allow God the Father to reign over our families! We have been born again by God with His Holy Spirit through our Savior, Jesus Christ!

 

Yet Jesus said that "the LEAST of these in the kingdom of heaven are greater than he (John)". If you are familiar with the previous submissions to this blog, you may know where I am about to go. The new testament saint is born of God and should be filled with the Holy Spirit which empowers those to be "witnesses to Him". It is my opinion that the HE WHO IS LEAST in this kingdom is the one who has allowed God to refine out the carnality in his/her soul. When the Apostle Paul said "I am less than the least of all saints", he was informing us that he has allowed God to have His way in him and, as a result, he said "by the grace of God I am what I am and His grace toward me was not in vain, but I labored more abundantly than they all, YET NOT I, but the grace of God that was with me (1 Corinthians 15:10)". Jesus informed Paul, "My strength is made perfect in (your) weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). In fact, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 is a great example of how Jesus made Paul one of the "least" in this kingdom.

 

It is my intent to open these concepts to you if you have not already heard. Our King, by the Holy Spirit, will breathe life upon His truth and make it real to you!

What I Do Have, I Give You

 

 Acts 3:1-9
 

"Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, 'Look at us'. So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold I do not have, but WHAT I DO HAVE, I GIVE TO YOU. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.' And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them- walking, leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God. Then they knew that it was he who sat begging alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple; and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."
 

What did Peter and John have to give? In this instance, Peter and John HAD a gift of faith from God which enabled them to provide to the lame man a supernatural answer superseding what natural men could provide- perfect bodily soundness. Peter and John received a revelation accompanied by the anointing of the Holy Spirit to bring forth victory! When we HAVE what Peter and John HAD, it is the awesome arm of God rightly ordering issues on earth- sometimes to us for others; sometimes to others for us; sometimes to us for us. It is the inspiration of the Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, by the Holy Spirit.
 

"I will open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it." The truth He shares with us is so rich we have to tell others. The anointing He provided Peter and John had to be distributed to the lame man. As we experience the fullness of who He is, He will show us how to distribute what we now HAVE!

These Things I Do, You Also Will Do, And Greater!

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; AND GREATER works than these he will do, because I go to My Father." (John 14:12)

Greater works than Jesus did? Jesus healed the sick, cast out demonic strongholds, fed thousands from an amount that could only feed a few and caused a gold coin to be found in a fish's mouth to pay a tax debt. All obviously supernatural events. Each act amazed those who experienced them; amazed them because they could never have imagined those things within themselves. They had neither the insight, inspiration or power to bring those things to pass. Through the washing of His blood that takes away our sins and the new birth and infilling of the Holy Spirit, the inspiration comes along with the empowerment to do the things Jesus did! We also will cast out devils, lay hands on the sick for recovery and be protected from danger, all in the name of Jesus Christ.

But, He said GREATER WORKS than these miraculous acts will the believer do! 

"Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness' "(Matthew 7:22,23)  The miraculous and helpful acts Jesus did were a sign to mankind that the Kingdom of Heaven had come to men. Those acts continue to this day because the Father wants creation to know that He is! Jesus clearly says that men can do supernatural things in His name yet still be practicing lawlessness. Lawlessness persists only where willing obedience is absent. Jesus willingly obeyed His Father to the death and is now glorified and at the right hand of the Father.

Jesus never knew them because they would not pay the price to be as close to Him as He is to the Father. The GREATER WORKS are those things that we are called to do that separate us from the carnal, lawless direction of our soul; to be one with the Father and the Son who are one.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses (those folks who did it His way!), let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (Jesus, as the head of all things to the church, sets the race), looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God".
(Hebrews 12:1,2)

These Signs Follow Those Who Believe!

These Signs Follow Those Who Believe!      Mark 16:17,18

"And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; THEY WILL TAKE UP SERPENTS; AND IF THEY DRINK ANYTHING DEADLY, IT WILL BY NO MEANS HURT THEM; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."  In context, the serpent would be in your hands. I have never done that. I am unaware that I have ever drunk anything deadly. I would say few of you have, either.

A few weeks back, I was painting around the outside of a house. I noticed a number of bees were gathering around the untreated wood on the house, relatively close to me. I was not scared but concerned of their activity. It was at that time the Holy Spirit quickened me to this portion of scripture- even if your encounter is not taking up a serpent or drinking anything deadly, the supernatural protection of God can still be with you.  Having been familiar with this portion of scripture, I confessed it, thanked God for it in the name of Jesus Christ. We finished the job without a bee sting although they were present throughout.

Late summer mowing can be a dusty experience. I was about to start mowing- dreading the dust that would undoubtedly enter my sinuses. Again, the Holy Spirit quickened me to this scripture reference. I confessed it, thanked God for it in the name of Jesus Christ. I completed the mowing, dust everywhere. There was no sniffling. Just one sneeze. No runny nose after. No allergic response.

We have a little dog living in the house. As you know, they go just about anywhere they please, even up on the bed. They like to be with you as much as possible. Prior to entering into God's salvation, I would experience a significant allergic response with that much dog where I rest. I am applying the revealed truth. Much better.

This portion of scripture describes supernatural protection and deliverance- for you and for others. These should be signs to you in your personal relationship with God. These signs will show a lost soul that the God we speak of is real!

His Grace Should Be Sufficient For You

2 Corinthians 12:1-9

"It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago- whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows- how he was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows- how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool for I will speak the truth. But I refrain lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me".

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness'."

Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake. For when I am weak then I am strong."

Paul is telling on himself. He is confessing his sin to us. Necessary, he says, so that we determine to avoid the same exercise of self-service. Paul as we know was an apostle. He has experienced and will experience (as will all spirit-filled, spirit-led christians) visions and revelations of the Lord. It seems Paul had grown boastful with those experiences, reporting his exaltation "above measure" or what it should have been in Jesus Christ. He goes now so far as to speak of his experiences as "a man he knows". No self-exaltation there. He had been corrected.

During his self-exaltation, a thorn in the flesh was given to him, a messenger of Satan. Whose desire is it that we be not exalted above measure? During the time when Paul was experiencing the thorn in the flesh, he pleaded with the Lord (as you would expect) so IT would depart from him. The Lord's response was "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness". What the Lord had given Paul should have been enough for him for He certainly ministers life. In Him is all the fullness of the Godhead. His strength cannot nor will be made perfect in the strength of you. As there is less of you there is more room for Him! The Lord knew that, in the trial, Paul would turn from his strength to the One who created all things, and would be made free from the bondage of his self-service!

Contentment rejoices in His sufficiency.

The Living Word

This past week I was driving into a local city to purchase a coffee and start my day. The drive from my home is about 25 minutes and usually quiet: meaning no radio or CD. I had arrived in town and was confessing scripture, specifically I Corinthians 13 which is the "love chapter". Christians know how important it is to love like God so His description of what love does is important if we are to walk hand in hand with the Godhead. When I confess scripture, I focus on the words spoken and the meaning, trying not to just say words but seek Him for what He knows we need to hear to be a doer, not just a hearer.

Moments later I turned into a single-laned alley to gain access to the coffee shop. As I approached the parking lot from the alley, another motorist pulled his vehicle into the alley and sat there, looking at me. My immediate response to his action was to proclaim his idiocy and wrangle my car out of his way. After, I heard these words, "hadn't you just finished confessing what the love of God does?" Needless to say, I was frustrated.

Later that morning, I heard in my spirit the Lord say, "My Word was never intended to be effective without the breath of the Holy Spirit empowering you to be a doer of it". I had confessed that portion of scripture many times and as recently as five minutes beforehand and the Words I had confessed fell flat to the ground, not able to empower me to overcome selfish behavior (mine and others). Jesus was able to navigate these types of situations without falling short of the grace of God. He also had the Holy Spirit without measure. He was One with the Father.

James 1:19 reads, "let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath". Hear what?  The anointing of the Holy Spirit coming within you to overcome. The anointing to be victors over all temptation comes from within. That is why we must be new creatures in Jesus Christ through the new birth and infilling of the Holy Spirit! But wait! I have been born again and filled with the Holy Spirit for twenty years. Why am I getting this just now? We are being built up a spiritual house.

It is not that the written Word (logos) is not life-giving. We need the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to do it like Jesus did!

So, we study the Word of God to SHOW OURSELVES approved. BUT, we direct our attention to our Father, thanking Him for who He is and what He has made available to us through Jesus Christ. We praise our Lord, Jesus Christ who was the Father's perfect emissary of willing obedience to Him for our sake. We press toward Him  (Them) so that we may be one with Them(John 17:21). Then we will hear Their Words, empowered BEFORE the temptation to sin arrives, and respond just as Jesus would/did!