Since God created the heavens and the earth, He has never commended anyone for anything done except, the faith exercised by the person.
Cornelius has the best credential for “work” well done than any other person in the Bible; his faith was on God but, it was misplaced. Faith must be only in Christ who is the only gateway to God.
Without faith no man has ever pleased God and no man will ever please Him.
The sprinkled Blood of Jesus is accessed only by faith. Faith accesses the only thing (Blood of Chrsit) that can clean the heart of man; no other action can ever, ever do!
There are only two kinds of life on the earth; righteous and unrighteous. God authored the first and Satan the second. There is no middle ground.
When, we can detect who we are more righteous than, it is a discovery that we are unrighteous. Righteousness is a life received and lived by faith.
To receive of the Spirit of Christ (God’s gift of salvation) by grace through faith and refuse to treasure it is treachery and ungratefulness.
Human actions can only be righteous by reason of faith in Christ. Good actions done not by faith in Jesus Christ are filthy rags.
Discovering from God, by faith, why your wife is your wife and your husband is your husband is the beginning of wisdom, peace and joy in marriage.
True Wisdom: At the end of the life of the wise, the totality of his achievements is summed up like this: I gained Christ! How? By faith!
For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? (Mark 8:36). Think!
Everyone that is born into this world is born with the sin nature. We are all born with the capacity to indulge in any sin be it homosexuality, lying, stealing, cursing, pride, unbelief, promiscuity, slander etc. This is the magnitude of man’s depravity in God’s sight.
The fact that a particular person goes ahead to become a homosexual, pathological liar or serial killer is determined by the devil who controls the sin nature and determines who he wants to manifest any of the ramifications of his (Satan) stature or characteristics (John 8:44). He does this by manipulating the person’s mind and environment.
The environment is not the sole cause of the behavioral pattern we humans manifest. If the sin nature was not there, the environment could not determine the behavior. This is why people who have been given the highest moral training in one environment can go to another environment and live out the evil hidden nature inside them. No one can shock God by their indulgence in any sin. We were guilty of all sins already.
The argument that someone is born gay is not a fallacy given the above understanding. It synchronizes with the statement of the scriptures Rom 5:12, 1 Cor 15: 22. That is why everyone born into this world naturally must be born-again spiritually (John 3:6-7).
In regeneration or born-again, it is the spirit that experience rebirth. The Spirit that now lives in the regenerated person immediately begins to war against – give instruction (2 Tim 3:16-17 APB, Rom 6:22) to the mind (land Heb 6:7) in other to gain lordship and to live out His personality (stature) through that being.
The voice of the Spirit in the heart of the regenerate is different from the conscience that speaks to all humans. The conscience is the voice of the human spirit which, seeks to point us in the right direction just like the law but it does not engrace you to submit sufficiently to obey God. It is subject to the devil for as long as it is without the overshadowing of the Spirit of Christ Jesus 1 John 3:20-21.
We must note that a born-again person has first been engrace or empowered by the Spirit of Christ inside his or her spirit to submit the mind to the mind, law or instruction of the Spirit. And, this has to be done willingly just as he or she willingly received the grace (Jesus) when He appeared to him or her via the gospel.
Galatians 5:1 makes it clear that failing to take obedient instruction from the Spirit that has set you free, leads to slavery to the law that fails to empower to you to be free from sins. The scriptures paints these pictures for us , so that, we may be engrossed with Jesus and follow Him sheepishly where ever He may lead us 1 Peter 2:25, John 10:14, 4.
Ephesians 2:1-3 NLT, emphases the point that “the sin nature” that cause the sins being lived out now and those tucked away in the spirit and mind, reigns in everyone not regenerated. Paul contrasts this situation with those who get regenerated in their spirit and getting renewed in their minds and living out the newness of life given by the second Adam (life giving Spirit-Christ Jesus) in their flesh.
This possibility and reality of living contrary to the sin nature is made possible because of the Spirit of Christ that has enveloped the spirit of the born-again person who’s mind is being renewed and as a result, his or her body is being presented as a living sacrifice not for salvation but as appreciation and fulfillment to that, which God had ordained that those who worship Him should WALK IN (Rom 12:1-2, Eph 2:10). This is how humanity gets to see the glory and beauty of God that serves as light to the world.
The abomination that cause desolation (idol in the mind that causes ruin) is to receive the Spirit of Christ in our hearts (spirit) as savior, but refuse to submit our minds for washing-that He may reign as our Lord making us be like Him. It is Christ living through us that makes us the light of the world (Matt 5:14).
God does not have a problem with people who have not received regeneration in their spirits and He requires no righteousness from them because they cannot give it Rom 8:7-8. However, He loves them dearly (John 3:17, Luke 5:32). He is constantly inviting them to embrace His GRACE (Jesus) through the preaching of the gospel by the saved and also, by the gospel (Jesus Christ) because He personally confronts people even today Acts 22:7-11.
Truly, He is drawing John 6:44 unbelieving sinners to enter into eternal life through His only Son and only name (Acts 4:12). Those who accept Him, their sin nature (Adamic) that expresses itself in the behavioral patterns listed in Gal 5:19-21 and 1 Cor 6:9 is exchanged for the heavenly nature and life that must dominate this earth Titus 2:11-15, Matt 6:10.
Those who go to hell, go there because the nature of the first Adam (sin nature- image of the beast) enveloped their spirit, mind and body. For all who receive Jesus Christ, His Spirit envelopes their spirit, works in their minds and expresses itself in their body. But, the devil surely fights against these workings of God in the minds of His people. Satan does this by attacking your fleshly insect (mind) to get you to use your members (your eye, leg, hands, sexuality and chief of them all your mouth) to sin against God. This understanding propels saints of God to willingly submit to God and resist the devil James 4:7, 2 Cor 10:3-5.
True saints of God guard their hearts and mind with Revelation 14:13, “And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
Refusing to submit (set the mind) on the Spirit (Christ) is the worst harm any Christian can do to themselves. It shows clear deliberate rebellion and an attempt to exploit God. To receive of the Spirit of Christ (God’s gift) and refuse to treasure it is treachery and ungratefulness. The consequence is hellish (Rom 1:28 NIV, 2 Titus 1:16 KJV, 2 Cor 13:5 KJV).
God is appealing to the regenerates through the true ministries He has gifted to some in the body to help the entire body understand the riches in Christ enabling the body to become mature and obedient sons of God Eph 4:11-16.
He has also gifted every member of the body of Christ with spiritual gifts for edifying the whole body. And the warning is, that every part (person) must keep functioning -submitting to the voice of the Holy Spirit for the renewal of their mind and living as one admitted into the Holy of Holies in service to God and humanity Heb 10:20 NLT, 12:22-24, 2 Tim 2:21.
The preaching of the gospel is done in order to save all that are lost. The appealing and warning is done relentlessly by the ministries and spiritual gifted persons in the body because of passages like Heb 3:13, 2 Peter 2:20-22, Heb 6:4-8.
In Heb 6:9-20, Paul the Apostle sparks confidence in those who are faithful in abstaining from filthiness, serving in reverence and love by reminding them that God who instructs righteousness will not fail them by becoming unrighteous to them. He continued – telling them to hold tightly to the hope of God’s faithfulness He shows to those who remain faithful to the end. And this, he tells them will be gained by faith and patience.
Paul further authenticates his words by citing God’s faithfulness to Abraham who walked in holiness, repentance and obedience through faith and patience. He concluded his admonition and exhortation by recounting that God even put forth an oath that is unbreakable and reliable in order to persuade those who worship Him to do so with their spirit, mind and body in perseverance knowing it’s not in vain Heb 11:6.
James the Apostle received the same revelation like Paul concerning Abraham. Abraham’s faith which, counted for righteous without works, did produce good works (James 2:21-22)
The Apostle’s teaching never deviated from the circumference of Matt 22: 37-40. It is the test for every true teaching. That man is to worship God with his spirit, soul and mind. And must from that backdrop, relate to fellow men including enemies; and especially to the people of the house hold of faith- brothers and sisters in Christ poor and rich, educated and uneducated, white or black. This is what true ministers of God set before the people of God. It has nothing to do with working for salvation that is a free gift received by faith but it has everything to do with James 2:14-26, 3:13.
Beloved brothers, there is no sin a believer in Christ cannot overcome if he or she wants to overcome it. Go to God again in prayers and don’t say “I have tried severally”. Reconsider your doctrine closely because belief in wrong teaching cripples determination to give yourself wholly to God and retrogresses one to being under the law where sin and death reigns supreme.
The doctrine of Christ is not some set of dogmas rather it is a gaining of instruction into the riches of Christ that gives you a better understanding of Him, which leads to more submission to Christ.
The riches of Christ are not houses, cars, qualifications and acclamations. You can get all those things without being a Christian. The rain (distribution of material things) of God falls on the ungodly and the godly.
Let no one fool you any longer! Eph 4:14. The power of Christ resurrection IN you is not just for material things but to help you Steward God’s gift- THE BLESSING (life of Jesus Christ in you) faithfully by living Christ-like and blessing the world Proverbs 10:22.
The falling away in 2 Thess 2:3 is fast happening as we see many changing their previous convictions and rejecting clear instructions in Eph 5:4-8 like Jannes and Jambres, and Hymenaeus and Alexander.
In Eph 5:1-2, 9-33, Paul gives us “Jesus’ commandments” that we should follow and the Holy Spirit is again speaking the same things to the hearts of those who have ears to listen John 14:15 & 21.
The Lord Jesus has multiplied His grace to the church that great numbers of the royal priesthood may be obedient to the faith Heb 4:16. Revelation tells us that a sea of heads were seen who worshiped God faithfully Rev 7:9.
You and I are counted in that number. Let us show appreciation to our God by not joining those who crucify Christ Jesus the second time and are making public ridicule of Him Heb 6:6.
Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what He is saying to the churches (Rev 3:6, 13 & 22 NLT).
May the mercy, grace and peace of God be with you. Amen
In the previous post, I said that the words of the bible are better experienced than defined (1 John 1:1). That point is important for us all to always remember.
It is necessary to note that there are people who do not have Christ in their heart yet they live righteously. The scripture warns us not to argue about this (1 John 3:7). This point is crucial in understanding the righteousness that God calls His people to- Hisrighteousness that grows out as a fruit from His branches (Rom 11:6). God is not looking for the fruit of the righteous man. He is looking for the fruit that buds from His (Gods’) branches. This should not confuse anyone at all. There are many righteous people that are not godly.
Now, the scripture declares that any branch that does not bear fruit will be cut off, gathered and burnt. In the same vein, salt must retain its saltiness else it will be good for nothing but to be thrown away because its purpose is not being served (John 15:2 & 6, Matt 5:13, Rev 8:7). It is worthy to note that salt CANNOT make itself salty. The salt has to keep or persevere in its saltiness.
In Mark 11:12-14, we read an interesting story depicting the Lord’s reaction to the fig tree which speaks of followers of Christ. In Jer 17:6 the shrub typifies Christians who fail to put their trust in the Lord when they know they should because they are waiting for a change in their circumstance, i.e., fig season. Like the fig tree in Mark 11 they have many unprofitable seasons for the Lord- forgetting the instruction to worship and bear fruit in season and out of season. The shrub in Jer 17:6 does not know the time and seasons of the Lord and makes no adequate preparation to meet the Lord like the five foolish virgins. Therefore, this shrub believes in the theology of men’s wisdom but suddenly and unbelievably the Lord curses it which is equivalent to what the Lord said to the five foolish virgins after the door was shut, “I do not know you” (Matt 25:11-12). The door was shut against them contrary to what carnal minded theologians are teaching today.
Regarding Mark 11:13, we know without a shadow of doubt that Jesus knew the condition of that tree. Will He who knew that Nathanael was under the fig tree without physically seeing him there and knowing he was a man in whose spirit there was no guile, not know about the fig tree’s condition? (John 1:47-48). Judas was a tree that was not given to Jesus by His father though he was a follower of Jesus unlike Nathanael meaning “God has given”. Jesus without physically being on the earth today, still knows the trees that are abiding and bearing fruit. He does not need to come near or return first to find out.
Let us turn our attention again to Jer 17:7-8 and observe what the tree did that earned it commendation. Before we rush to talk about its fruit in verse 8 we can’t fail to talk about its trust in the lord which produced the visible fruit that the Lord was looking for. The fruit is constant in all seasons because nourishment comes to it ceaselessly. The trust and the river is the secret of the fruit harvest. The root is Jesus (Rom 11:18, Isa 11:10, Rom 15:12)
Many of us have unwisely and some deliberately failed to observe and acknowledge this mystery of godliness. Some say they have power to live righteously and have been trapped in legalism and holier than thou guilt ridden life and are looking for those that will be enslaved like them. Another group is forcefully arguing that the Lord is not too concerned about fruit because He knows we’re poor sinners who cannot be perfect while we’re in the mortal body defending their position with Paul’s statement in Rom 7:21 and other scriptures. These groups are to be highly pitied because the serpent has beguiled them like he did Eve- twisting the Holy word that is able to save not just our spirit but our soul too.
In this writing, I know the Lord is challenging anyone struggling with any sin be it Homosexuality, lust, drunkenness, spirit of preeminence, envy, backbiting – any kind of sin no matter how sinful, addictive and long lasting it has held you captive despite your profession of Christ, to enter into God’s open secret (Jesus Christ) with the weapon of trust in him by setting your mind on Him and staying unmovable in the place of his river (word). I guarantee you will experience a dimension of God’s mercy, grace (power), beauty of holiness, renewal of your mind and clarity of the person of Jesus Christ that moves the weak in Christ from one degree of glory to another and another and yet many more. The mind set on Christ overcomes sin (Heb 4:16).
Upon entrusting our lives to Jesus wholly and entirely our flesh is crucified and our bodies are continually being mortified. This way of submitting ourselves to Jesus not only as saviour but as our Lord opens a realm of reality that we’re in this world but not of this world and propels us to earnestly seek after our true home. It brings us into a realm of faith in God that is beyond the foundational as exhorted in (Heb 6:1-2). It helps us keep in sober judgment of ourselves and others and thrusts us into an understanding of God’s love that may present us as foolish and stupid in the eyes of the wise and religious champions of this world.
Indeed the Lord is looking for the weak and broken. May He find you and me!
The weak and broken are those who are breathless without consistent trust in the Lord and continuous study, proclamation and meditation on the living word. In Joshua 1:8 and Deut 17:19-20 we read these words “so that” and “that he may” which is an emphasis that no fruit will be produced without adherence to their preceding exhortation.
The ability to carry on with life normally and smoothly without the aforementioned admonition is a sign of those that are strong in themselves and have their own righteousness. With or without the Lord they can work for God and have plenty of leaves to present like the fig tree!
In John 2:1-8 & 9, Jesus did not just turn water into wine- He is that very wine. God is looking for new jars of clay (new wine skins) that He will pour His new wine (Jesus Christ) into and serve this thirsty world whose party wine has run out and disappointed them. He is not looking for old wine skin like the big brother of the prodigal son but He is urgently looking for priests and kings that will enjoy bond-servant-hood and who will be truly happy to welcome strayed sheep coming out of the pig’s pen. He is looking for those who will learn His heart of love, forgiveness and not lay claim to their own rights.
The newness of life that we as Christians live and enjoy is based only on the righteousness that God has credited to us in Christ. Our invitation now is to go ahead and start spending the credit like we will spend inherited cash. The cash so to speak, is not worked for, but the one who left the inheritance expects that the money be spent wisely. This privilege of the inheritance should not be used as an occasion for laziness, wickedness, or in such a way to disrespect and bring disgrace to the name of God (Gal 5:13).
To help achieve the above the one (Christ) who left the inheritance, sends a spokes man (Holy Spirit) to teach, guide and help us live in such a way that it will be maximally beneficial to us, bless others and ultimately bring praise and glory to him. That way, others will see and desire the same inheritance and it will constantly serve as an opportunity to point them to the giver of the inheritance who chooses those He gives the gift (salvation). Put more clearly, he actually stays in us and with us to spend the cash through us. The result is that we’re not actually the ones spending it but the real owner spending it through us the inheritors (….his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.1 Cor 15:10).
Now the task for us which we have been empowered to do is to allow him flow through us (Phil 3:9).This is not like the old regime where some men including Paul gained blameless righteousness (Phil 3:4-7).
But, we’re accustomed to spending our own cash (righteousness) which is not the accepted currency in the new country (God’s kingdom) we’ve been admitted into. This country does not practice democracy- in fact no election is permitted. Everyone in the kingdom is a servant serving as a priest and king under the King of kings.
God’s law has become the law of Christ; the law of Christ is what all that have been gifted with righteousness must live by and the only way to obey this law is to set our minds continually on Christ. Anyone who fails to grasp this truth for spiritual living will never abide in Christ as a branch (Rom 8:6a, 8 & 13a)
(…..Even though I am not subject to the law….. 1 Cor 9:20) and (…But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ 1 Cor 9:21)
Seeing all these things, what kind of persons ought we to be who claim to be followers of Christ! We ought to love and fear the Lord by setting our mind on Christ who has accomplished all of God’s requirements for us. He is still interceding for us that He may through us live out His father’s will as He did with mere unlearned fisher men like Peter and his colleagues, learned men like Barrister Paul and Dr Luke, the little boy with five loaves and two fish, the Samaritan woman and Rahab the prostitute.
Like Gideon, you are a mighty warrior equipped with a far better weapon than him and John the baptist. Therefore, let us fight with the new weapon that is well tested and tried- the two edged sword and the blood of Christ (the highest sacrifice) that has defeated carnality and the devil. Let no one deceive you – you are equipped to win (live above any sin) IF you truly desire to do with Christ who was tempted in all areas of human weakness but was found without sin.
The words of the bible are better experienced than described or defined. However, defining it is wise in that it helps us gain a better understanding of what we experience with God in our faith.
Definition of Imputed or Credited Righteousness
Imputed righteousness is the righteousness of God that is given to accompany the gift of salvation to those whom God has drawn and have repented from rejecting Jesus to accepting Him as the Son of God- the only sacrificial lamb of God that takes away (forgives) the “sin” and sins of all who receive Him into their heart (spirit). This less than split second event regenerates the spirit of man, sanctifies and merges it with holy personage (John 6:44, Ps 32:1-2, Heb 10:10, 14).
The contribution of man to the above event is none other than accepting the beauty of that event as a gift by faith (Eph 2:8). The event is worked by God’s grace alone.
From the above description, we understand that there is a righteousness which is a gift from God. It is the nature of God coming into mortal man. He forgives his “sin” which is his Adamic nature and his present acts of sins which is a result of the inherited sin nature from Adam. God because of Christ’s preordained sacrifice grants regenerated mortal man eternal life to be lived with Him the Almighty eternal God (John 3:16). The enjoyment of that eternal life starts immediately after regeneration (John 3:36).
This event that transpires within the heart of the man who receives Christ establishes him as perfectly righteous (Heb 12:22-23, 10:14, Luke 15:10,). The paramount points about imputed righteousness are that we cannot earn it by doing supposedly righteous acts or obeying the law of commandments and we cannot improve on it.
It is this new holy personage that God has changed the saved (John 3:3 born-again) into that makes the scripture describe the regenerate as new creation (2 Cor 5:17). And everyone who has been changed to a new creation by the washing of the blood of Jesus Christ is also welcomed into a newness of life. The old life of helplessly rejecting or hating God as a result of the Adamic nature which caused the mind to be set on the flesh -sinful instinct- (Rom 8:7, Gal 5:17, Rom 3:9) has now been arrested and defeated through the cross of Christ and His resurrection which we participate in by baptism (Col 2:12). Therefore the loud call is; walk in the newness of life which pleases God by setting the mind on the Spirit (Christ) whose instinct is always to do the Father’s will (Matt 26:41, John 4:34).
It is important to note that the clarion call is not to create a new righteousness by obeying laws but to walk in accordance with the imputed righteousness which is already working in the heart and finding it’s expression in the mind though heavily resisted because it is new to the mind which has been accustomed to enjoying the instinct of the old nature (John 10:27, Rom 12:2, 8:14, Gal 5:17).
Ephesians 2:2 makes it clear that all obedience is a response to the working of spirits in the heart (Matt 12:35). Those that reject Christ and they that set their mind on the flesh will listen to spirits that hate God knowingly or unknowingly. I must stress that when we talk about the righteousness that God demands (His righteousness), all our righteousness at best is like filthy rags. A Good example is that of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1). Man’s righteousness is always stained with deceit. Except God’s righteousness was shone on Ananias and Sapphira seeming righteousness no one could have perceived the filthiness of their outward fine works (Isa 64:6). So Rom 8:14 should stop sounding strange or viewed as over spirituality to us. It is the originating point of serving God who is a Spirit (John 4:24)
The imputed righteousness (Jesus Christ) is the nature of God which works in the mind as a law (Rom 10:4). That is why God promised that He will write the law in His people’s minds (Heb 10:16).
The imputed righteousness works in the heart (our spirit) and in our minds (soul) and finds its expression in our bodies like a fruit growing out from a branch nourished from the vine to which it is attached (John15:5) – Without Christ there is no righteousness. You and I must avail ourselves of the grace of God opened to us through Jesus Christ and contend to set our minds on the Spirit which enables us to reciprocate the loving-kindness God has shown to us who are recipients of His salvation. Jesus makes this clear when He said, “If you love me keep my commandments”. Let’s note He said my commandments (Jesus commandments) not the Ten Commandments or better still three hundred and sixty-six commandments given only to the Israelites. Yes! It was given only to the Israelites because the Gentiles were without the law of God (Rom 2:14, Acts 2:23).
The imputed righteousness is for all nations, tribes, peoples and languages that have been called into Christ (Acts 2:39, Rev 7:9). So Jesus (the imputed righteousness 1 Cor 1:30) is one law and culture that cuts across every other culture and to which all people MUST obey. This is why His resurrection afforded us the Holy Spirit that speaks the voice of Christ to God’s sheep. Every sheep of God MUST hear the voice of Jesus with the circumcised ear of the heart or else that sheep is not a sheep indeed but a goat which has no part in the ministry of Jesus Christ (John 10:4-5, Matt 25:32-33).
Having looked at imputed righteousness and seen it is the perfect righteousness of God that cannot be worked for or improved upon, we will look at the newness of life that proceeds from this gift of righteousness that is buried in our Jar of clay (2 Cor 4:6-7, 1 Cor 6:19) in the next post.
Justification by faith in Christ is an elementary doctrine (Heb 6:1, 11:6).
Having a participatory understanding of the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ Jesus is a basic requirement for anyone who claims to be a minister of the new covenant (2 Cor 3:6). Not getting this doctrine right can be likened to a workman given a gift box of tools necessary for accomplishing a job but, refuses to acknowledge the key tool (justification) within the box.
There is no deliverance from legalism and guilt without a participatory understanding of justification by faith in Christ just as there is no justification by faith in Christ that is not accompanied by an overcoming grace. For sin shall not have dominion over the saints (Ps 19:13, Rom 6:14)
Dave Jenkins has rightly divided God’s truth on his recent article on the subject. The time you spend reading through this teaching will be well worth it even if you already have a good grasp of it. It renews the heart’s love for Jesus and ignites fresh praise to God. Read it Justification
The sweetness of Christian living is possible only as we hear the master’s voice giving us counsel that is tried and tested— counsel that leads us to the green pasture and ever flowing river whose stream is commanded by God to make glad His city (our hearts).
How awesome and graciously powerful is the Lord’s voice— leading those that fear Him to joyous obedience.
The river of God is flowing towards you and I, may we let its stream into our hearts through obedience to his voice. We gain victory over the enemy through obedience to God. Suddenly, we notice that something sweet is coming out from our strong enemy because we obeyed the voice of our Lord the stronger man.
He has disarmed and defeated the enemy on our behalf.
If listening and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit gives us victory and gladness, it will also mean that not listening and obeying the word of God will leave us in a place of defeat and sadness.
