The third aspect of true righteousness

3.    The body of Jesus Christ

The third aspect of the act of righteousness to which we are enslaved is the body of Jesus Christ which represents the church that is sanctified and set apart from the world. We are enslaved to this aspect of righteousness by having due care and attention for one another as we have been duly admonished saying; “that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually” (1Corinthians 12:25-27).

It is this third aspect of enslavement to righteousness that unites the body of Jesus Christ, the church and presents the members as one before the Father as we have been duly admonished saying; “I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread” (1Cornthians 10:15-17).

It is through the breaking of bread that members of the body of Christ becomes one and given access to the presence of the Father as alluded to by the apostle Paul who wrote; “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10: 19-22).

And so, the threefold aspect of the act of righteousness to which we are enslaved for having been set free from sin is first and foremost to Jesus Christ the Spirit Man from heave, Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist: He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:15-18).

And this preeminence is demonstrated and exemplified by declaring “His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens: Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary: Give to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Give to the LORD glory and strength. Give to the LORD the glory due His name” (Psalms 96:3-8).

This act of service is accomplished by observing the Lord’s Sabbaths as we have been duly instructed saying; “You shall keep My Sabbaths and reverence My sanctuary: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:30; 26:2)

This act of service is also intertwined to the second threefold aspect of our enslavement; for it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus Christ) all the fullness (of the Godhead) should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross” (Colossians 1:19-20).

Because, the life of the flesh is in the blood, and God has given it to us upon the altar to make atonement for our souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.' It is in Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Leviticus 17:11; Ephesians 1”7; Colossians 1:14).

 Then, intertwined with the second and first aspect of the threefold aspect of our enslavement to the act of righteousness is the body of Jesus Christ representing the church which according to the apostle Paul; “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:21-22)/.

So the act of righteousness to which we are enslaved for having been set free from sin is to offer the Lord the food for His offerings at the appointed times for thus says the Lord; “Command the children of Israel, and say to them, 'My offering, My food for My offerings made by fire as a sweet aroma to Me, you shall be careful to offer to Me at their appointed time” (Numbers 28:2).

And loving our neighbor as ourselves as we have been duly instructed saying; “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” And by applying the practical example of love which says; “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but indeed and in truth” (Matthew 7:12; 1John 3:16-18).

So why are we slaves of righteousness? We have become slaves of righteousness in order to serve the Lord in His temple day and night, to become righteous just as Christ is righteous, and to serve one another. Therefore we have been admonished saying; “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23-24).

The sad thing is, instead of being slaves of righteousness, many choose to remain slaves to sin, and fail to fulfill the purpose for which Christ has been delivered us from sin.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00S9QXQ4E

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph