This Weeks Chapters: Acts 27 – Romans 3
Pastor Alan Morton
Before I became a Christian the book of Romans was one of my least liked books of the Bible. It seemed to start with judgement, go on further about the lack of righteousness, then claim the only righteous person is God. Not what I wanted to hear as a non-Christian. Then the stuff about baptism and death to self … well that was just too much!
The moment I became a Christian this whole book started to make sense.
Before I became a Christian I realised that I could never live up to the standards of perfection I read about and I just got more and more switched off … until I met people who actually lived and breathed this life of Christ. That is when I first saw people who totally depended upon someone else’s performance (Christ’s righteousness!).
Romans 3 clearly challenges us … no matter what our background … that we miss the mark … that our unrighteousness demonstrates God’s righteousness AND that He is right to judge us.
But certain verses have always seemed to have God’s highlighter-pen mark on them … v21-23 “But now the righteousness of God … is revealed … through faith in Jesus Christ, to all … who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (words missed for brevity rather than adjusting meaning)
The relief when I understood this passage for me was immense, like a 2 ton weight being removed. My performance was irrelevant; Jesus’ performance was all that mattered.
But then I discovered something even more exciting … Jesus’ righteousness was the basis for the rest of my life … not just giving me life but keeping me alive … enabling me to pray and get answers … producing faith and good works in me … affecting my desires.
It is not “what can I do for God” but even now as a Christian, I am learning to allow Him to live out His life in me more and more.
The more I live with this revelation the more God is seen in me! How easy is that?
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2 Comments So Far
- Richard
- ferdinand bakoshi
Thanks Pastor Alan… that two ton weight just fell off again. Reminds me of the chorus…
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.
When darkness seems to hide His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
posted June 20, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Adam - Malachi(Old Testament), John the Baptist - John in Revelation(New Testament), cover to cover there are no ‘super humans’ or super ‘righteous saints’ apart from Jesus of course, the God Man.
El-ohim, our God and creator allowed through the Holy spirit certain weaknesses and flaws to be revealed about His generals for our good, to help us avoid same pitfalls i believe and make us walk humbly with him and understand we just can’t make it based on our own works alone.
I tow this line because as a member of WHBC reading my pastor write about his fears before salvation and share insights in the knowledge of the righteousness of Christ is highly beneficial to me.
Thank you Pastor Alan.
Paul recieved as stated in Romans 1:5 grace and apostleship for OBEDIENCE to the faith among all nations for the name of Jesus.
Abraham BELIEVED God and it was credited to him as righteousness.(Romans 4:3)
I used to think believers were just timid and weak people but Now i know differently. Righteousness has nothing to do with me, but everything to do with Him, my letting Him cover me and learning to wait on Him patiently.
It has nothing to do with what i think, but what and whom i believe. If i can just trust and believe God through obedience in His word and commune with Him daily in prayer, then like Paul in Malta when ‘poisonous snakes’ wriggle themselves around me i can shake them off and still stay focused, un-hurt!
All i have to do is keep my heart open for Him to have access and breathe through me…
Thank you!
posted June 23, 2008 at 03:26 AM
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