23 Alphabetical Attributes of Salvation: Part Seventeen

 

17. Righteousness

I'm back, after several days of absence. I admit, I didn't feel like posting, but I promised the Lord I would do this. So if you would bear with me...

Righteousness is an attribute that only the new birth can bring. In ourselves we are unrighteous, or self-righteous. Many engage in self-worship, making themselves their own god. This is a direct violation of God's first commandment, that we worship no god but the one true God.

Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Righteousness in Jesus Christ is what God desires us to have. We may only obtain this by believing that Christ died on the cross, was buried and rose again three days later. This is the true Gospel which you must believe to attain God's righteousness and a home in Heaven. Without this Gospel, you cannot be saved.

In God's eyes of holiness we can never measure up in ourselves to be equal with God. We are all sinners, hell-bound and without hope if we are not born again by faith in Jesus. We can't ever do our own works of self-righteousness to compensate for our sinfulness. Anything we do is filthy rags to God.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Ephesians 6 speaks of righteousness as a part of the full armor of God: 

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

This righteousness is our protection, since it is symbolized as a breastplate, or shield that guards our heart. Isaiah mentions this same symbol:

Isaiah 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

There are so many verses that contain and speak of this precious gift of God's righteousness. Every one is a marvelous work of grace by the Almighty, selflessly given through Christ to us because God is so good.

I find it amazing how both the Old and New Testaments fit together so perfectly. Neither the Old nor the New can be without the other, and I am personally thankful that God has given us the finished work in the 66 books of the Bible. No other fake bible can claim such status, because they are all copyrighted works from the minds of mere men. I am thankful that God never allowed me to resort to a false bible, but only the King James Bible.

Do you know that you were born a sinner? Do you know where you are going when you die? Jesus Christ gave His life for you on the cross so you would not have to pay for your own sins forever in Hell. Only if you believe that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again, will you be saved. No works are involved, but only simple childlike faith that Jesus died for you. The Gospel is simple and easy to believe, and no works are required. We do the works AFTER we are saved. Please consider your heart's condition before God, and believe on Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:3, 4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: