Did you know that righteousness is imparted to us through faith in Yeshua (Jesus)? Over the last two months many references have been shared to show what unrighteousness is and what righteousness is. The righteousness imparted to the individual is obtained through and by faith in Yeshua, and is essential for salvation. More time will be spent looking through the Scriptures to ascertain more about Gods goodness to us through his righteousness.
Yehovah really wants us to know and have a relationship with him. Jeremiah chapter 24 and verse 7 says “And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God, for they shall return unto me with all their heart”. Exodus chapter 6 and verse 7 states “And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God, and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God…”. Ezekiel chapter 36 and verse 26 to 29 explains “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgements, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleannesses…”.
Again in Ezekiel chapter 11 and verses 19 and 20 “And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you, and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh. That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, and do them, and they shall be my people, and I will be their God”.
See the following examples supporting righteousness by faith in Yeshua. Romans chapter 1 and verses 17 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, the just shall live by faith” Galations chapter 5 and verse 5 “For we through the spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith”. A quote from Proverbs chapter 21 and verse 21 “He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour”.
2nd Corinthians chapter 7 and verse 10 says “For Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation…”. Yehovah (God) desires righteousness and he wants us to turn to him and change our behaviours. Romans chapter 12 and verses 2 and 3 clarifies “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of the mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith”.
Everyone is in need of salvation through the righteousness of Yeshua (Jesus), why? According to Romans chapter 3 and verses 23 to 28 and 31 it says “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Being justified by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid, yes, we establish the law”.
Many ask the question, how can one obtain or gain eternal life? But look at this example recorded in Matthew chapter 19 and verses 16 to 22. Someone went to Jesus and asked “And behold, one came and said unto him good master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he (Yeshua or Jesus) said unto him, why calleth thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God, but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, which? Jesus said, thou shalt do no murder, thou shall not commit adultery, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, honour thy mother and thy father, and, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith to Jesus, all these things have I kept from my youth up, but what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions”.
This same account can be found also in Mark chapter 10 and verses 17 to 22 and also in Luke chapter 18 and verses 18 to 23. Yeshua read the heart of this man and knew there remained something within his heart that needed to be changed. Yeshua made it clear to him what he was clinging to, something which would keep him from eternal life. The man also recognised his need when he asked ‘what lack I yet?’ Clearly the holy spirit was speaking to him. Unfortunately, he could not let go of all his riches. The heart is truly deceptive, so we have to hold onto Yeshua (Jesus), our righteousness. Jeremiah chapter 17 and verses 9 and 10 makes it clear “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings”.
To conclude, Matthew chapter 6 and verse 33 would be appropriate “Seek ye therefore the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you”. Revelation chapter 22 and verse 14 States “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates of the city”. This is the time to look to Yeshua our righteousness for salvation. Without faith in him, there is no hope of eternal life. Everyone has a right to accept the free gift of eternal life through faith in Yeshua or reject it. What will you choose?
I hope you have learned more about the Scriptures. Next month I will look at Forgiveness.
If you would like to know more, contact Sandra on 602 466 534.
