The third pillar of truth (contd)

·         Righteousness by the deeds of the law

With regards to righteousness through the law, the apostle Paul stated quite categorically that, “For I bear them witness that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:2-3).

The apostle Paul is not implying that Christ is the end of the law of righteousness, as though the law of righteousness which is the keeping of all of God`s commandments has been abolished, but rather, that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. Implying that, Christ is the end of the law by which man attempts to become righteous by keeping the law.

The apostle Paul stated quite categorically that; “By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe” (Romans 3:20-22).

But is Jesus Christ the end of the law of righteousness! Certainly not! Because this is what the scriptures confirms: Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.” “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not!” What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, "You shall not covet." What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! (Romans: 3:31; 6:15; 7:7; 9:14).

One should also take into consideration the fact that, “(For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.” So then, what is the current status of the laws of God? The current status of the laws of God is exactly what is stated about it which states; “Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good.” And therefore it plays a very significant role in our lives as slaves of righteousness for we would not have known sin except through the law. (Romans 7:12).

But there is no doubt that there is a form of practical righteousness that definitely produces righteousness, for we have been duly warned by the apostle John saying: “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7).

There is however no doubt that there is an act of righteousness which when practiced makes those who practice it righteous, even as Christ Himself who is our righteousness is righteous. For we have been instructed saying, “Therefore, as through one man's (Adam) offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life” (Romans 5:18).

And so we have been duly warned saying; “Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous” (1 John 3:7).

So, I beg to ask the question, what is this act of righteousness that when practice makes us righteous even as Christ Himself is righteous? This act of righteousness is the offering of the body and blood of Jesus Christ at the appointed times. For, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:7-8).

It is by the offering of the body and blood of Jesus Christ when presenting ourselves before Him that one becomes righteousness even as Christ Himself is righteous, because it is at this juncture that we have our sins forgiven and establish a right relationship with the Father and the Son.

For, this is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:5-10).

Not carefully that the scripture did not say that, "the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleansed us from all sin", which  would refer to something of the past, but rather, cleanses us, meaning, that it is an act that is currently and presently happening. 

Now since, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." And, "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.” I then beg to ask the question, at what time do we get those sins forgiven! So as to have fellowship with the Father and the Son?

It is through the offering of the cup, which represents the shed blood of Jesus Christ which we are ordained to offer to the Lord when we appear before Him that we have our sins forgiven and grants us access to the throne of grace in order to have fellowship with the Father and the Son. But this does not in any way relegate man`s righteousness, nor the fulfillment of the law, because they form part and parcel of righteousness.

These times of ignorance God has overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent.

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph