righteousness

I use to love to sit and talk with my kids by the fireplace - Priscilla sat with me next to fire - We talked about fire – she said “Daddy – if I jumped in the fire I would die wouldn’t I” – I said “yes” – She said – “My Hands and My head…But my toes would live!” Life is not that simple! Death is all encompassing! Our Lord accepted it all!

Consider, He was the Creator of the world! Yet, because of human sin, He now finds Himself 33 years old and being put to death as a sacrifice for the humans He created.  

* During His short 33 year life on this planet He was – hunted; praised; insulted; worshipped; called God; called Satan.

* He has amazed the people with His miracles - Angered many with His words - Touched most with His love!

* Now He is alone.

Besides the great physical pain He has from all the beatings and being crucified; He must deal with...

Philippians 3:3-14 

I grew up with 3 brothers, the youngest was 10 years behind me. So my real life experience was with two older brothers. One of them was one of the most gifted guitarist in the land and was known by everyone in high school. The other was part of a high school gang that was known for drinking and fighting. For quite a few years I lived off the reputation of my brothers. All my friends would come asking me questions about music equipment and I would give them advice, even though I didn't know what I was talking about. They just assumed because my brother knew everything and played so well that I also would know. Because of my other brother, a lot of the older boys that normally would've smacked me because of my smart mouth did not, partly because they did not know if I was as tough as my brother…I was not, or they did not want my brother’s wrath down on them.

I was living off of something that was not mine. When it comes to this kind of nonsense, at best, it will turn out to be embarrassing when people find out that “you're not all that”. However, in other matters, like the one we will now discuss, the end will be...

God can get frustrated.  He can say “Enough is Enough!”  And that is what He is doing next in Malachi.

“I am about to send my messenger, who will clear the way before me. Indeed, the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his temple, and the messenger of the covenant, whom you long for, is certainly coming,” says the Lord who rules over all.

This was written, and I attempted to post it on Sunday, 1/15/12, but either the internet, or WordPress was having an issue so I am  putting it up today. While some might say that the Lord did not want you to post it, another might say, that Satan did not want it posted. Roadblocks tend to make me more determined, and beside, you either have faith or not, and faith that I heard God's voice, tells me that he wanted me to put this up. So, buckle up and hang on.

The word ‘righteous’ is mentioned 578 times, ‘righteousness’ 393 times and the word ‘holy’ 1300 times in the NET bible. Can we suppose that God is making a point to us? Most certainly!

After all, He said, “be holy because I am holy.” Lev 11:44, 45; Lev 19:1-2; Lev 20:26; 1 Pet 1:16 NET Bible

    Isa 59:1-2

There is a great debate going on regarding Jesus’ words in

    John 16:7-8 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counsellor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: NIV

Many Christians say that we will not be convicted because:

Justification - We were deemed righteous.

Without fanfare, hoopla, and all the festive sounds of a celebration it came - our justification.

Life came in place of death. Previously we had no options, we were all dead men walking, but on that day everything changed.

Rom 4:3  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Rom 3:21  But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.

But now a righteousness from God,
Righteousness - The general usage, according to Webster's, is conformity to a standard.
    Whose standard? God's. Is it possible for man to uphold God's standard? Nope, never has been, never will, not while we are living on this earth.