Righteous because you did something or because you are something!

When we start to realize and know (meaning coming from experience and not "head knowledge") we start to walk it out, which is faith. (or keeping in step with the SPIRIT or walking by faith not by sight).  2 Corinthians 5:7   We start to live it by trusting what GOD has said.

There has been times when I've asked the LORD to help me/minister to me/say something (profound/special) to me. I needed help....And at one time HE answered and said "Son, how would you minister that to others?"   In other words,, minister to yourself.

How would you say it/pray it/do it when ministering to others - now speak to yourself.

Not trying to name-it-claim-it, those are mere words, rather you need to take it as a fact you are righteous because I am saying that, but more importantly GOD (PAPA/FATHER)  is saying it to you!

Now you are, take your step (next steps) if you fall down get right up - we have a saying around here "Quick Down - Quick Up" actually that was first quoted by Norman Grubb, we like it and use it ourselves.

There are 2 verses that explain more about how you would minister to yourself. In 1 Samuel 30:6 we find David at this moment pretty much hated by everyone, they are actively talking about just getting rid of him and stoning him (they were that angry) "Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God."  Sometimes you have to encourage yourself by remembering how GOD by HIS SPRIIT got you through other dangerous/troubling times. 

Another verse sort of like that is 1 Timothy 4:6 "As you lay all these things before the brothers, you will be a noble minister of Christ Jesus, nourishing yourself in the precepts of the faith and that noble teaching which you have followed."  This is "nourishing yourself in the precepts (things you learned, ways to conduct yourself) of the faith and that noble teaching which you have followed."

Same sort of thing, try it yourself, when you need it.

This again is not saying it one thousand times over and over again. Babbling like the pagans do thinking they will be heard by their many words. Matthew 6:7  Rather this is taking GOD's promise or words, as a fact and stepping out like its already done. 

Are you the righteousness of GOD because you did or will do something? Or are you the righteousness of GOD because HE is the highest court in the universe and HE has decreed it!

In Matthew 5 and really all the Gospels, JESUS who is GOD became a man, and went under the law. And revealed to the Jews (and all of us) the real standard of the law.  For example the 10 commandments were really 613 laws brought into a more manageable 10 to make it easier. These laws say; in fact most of the world agrees with it and says "dont murder, don't defraud/steal, dont cheat on your spouse"  etc.. most everyone believes and would agree with that.  But JESUS comes and shows what murder or adultery really is.  (not what we thought, it much higher and harder really impossible).  Have you ever drove in your car and got so mad at another driver, you said /thought or did something out of anger? We all have - to GOD's standard, which is the only standard that is murder.  Lust is adultery...etc..  

HE (GOD) is the standard.

So JESUS had to come to show us that we've broken all the laws, we are all guilty, we all in our own strength (if you can call it that) are not good - no not one.  We've all sinned, we are all guilty and as James said "if you've broken one law you've broken them all"  James 2:10

We are law breakers.

So the law 's standard is HIGHER than we thought because many of us say in our own defense "I've never killed no-one" and we think to everyone and more importantly GOD that that is impressive, or that makes us a so called "good-person" but JESUS says even more "if anyone says "You fool " shall be guilty.  

Ever thought or said a bad word, or even "fool" to someone. Ouch, its getting hot in here!

JESUS sums up the entire chapter of Matthew 5:48  by ending  it by saying : "be perfect like your heavenly FATHER is perfect".

It is no wonder that the disciples asked at another time: "who can be saved then"? Mark 10:26

So the law is it good or bad? Well it increases sin. Because when a law is given you want to try (with human effort) to keep it but the more you try the more you fail and break it. that's why new years resolutions nor "dont walk on grass signs either". They don't work. Romans 5:20 says: "the law was brought in so that the trespass (sin) might increase."  INCREASE??? So I guess the law is bad then??

Paul argues the law (these commandments) are good (see Romans 7:12) because GOD is like that (HE doesn't cheat, lie, murder) for GOD is love. Love meaning to live for others, to sacrifice for others, to provide and give, to the least of them. "So then, the law is holy and the commandment is holy, righteous and good" Romans 7:12

And it shows me, I'm not good.

Okay so the law does a pretty good job and beating us up and showing us where we are actually at (which is a deplorable state, on our own).

We do not keep the commandments we on the other hand, have broken them all but it isn't really me but sin that lives in me. You see you had no choice to choose "sin over righteousness" "As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it but it is sin living in me. Romans 7:17

Its the same now of righteousness - you have it without asking for it (like sin) and you do good things that GOD prepares you in advance - you just (under the new covenant) want to do them or just do them (you get to do them).

Want righteousness and good to walk in?  - then continue to bask and recognize HIS love for you "I'm the one that JESUS loves". The more we rest/live in/enjoy/brag on HIS love for us the more we believe that and become that and do that.  The churchy have it back-wards (like so many things) they talk to JESUS about how much 'they love HIM' not realizing that we love because HE first loved us. HE is LOVE and the obvious source of it.

So why with all this law-stuff then? Here is the key verse that gives us the birds eye view. Remember all have sinned...: and now this is GODS master plan "For God has locked all people in the prison of their own disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. Romans 11:32   Read it again "MERCY on us ALL"

He locked us all up (the entire world past/present/future) so that HE can have mercy on us all. Even the "bad" ones that you self-righteously judge as bad because they killed someone but you are good because you (in your own futile mind believe) never did that - thus (trying to) justify yourself before GOD - when HE has instead put you and me in the "sin camp" so that HE because of JESUS has mercy on us all (not who ask, not who are self-righteous) but all.

who we are? churchy religious or only following JESUS

 

I remember sitting in church pews (There is no "pews" in the Bible, because they stink, okay bad joke) how about this instead, JESUS often sat down and began to teach them. HE didn't have them in a lowly place as HE exalted HIMSELF. In some huge up high lecture stand.  We have and I am explaining our real identity, JESUS only cared about what the FATHER said and did -nothing else. We are also looking to the FATHER in every situation.

At one time, even HIS disciples complained that HE was offending the Pharisees Matthew 15:12  JESUS answer was of the FATHER saying that "every plant that was not planted by the FATHER will be pulled up by the roots" meaning you can't have legalism making your own salvation (really you can't but we try) if we do the FATHER who loves us, and loves us enough to pull us out by the roots because there is only one plant /tree and we grow in HIM.  and HE and HE alone makes us grow. 1 Corinthians 3:6

You have to understand that the Law (really those that try to follow the "laws") persecute those in Grace. You even see this today outside & inside churchy buildings when mask or jab(folks) might attack or offend those that can't or wont wear them.  That is legalism and it HATES grace.  That is the offense in the Bible the stench see Galatians 5 all of it or especially vs 29.

The lavished amazing Grace is a stench to legalism or "do it yourself" churchianity. 

So back to the churchy times for me, I heard all this preaching from some guy who was dressed up and often behind this high, I mean real high pulpit (again I don't see that in my Bible) and this guy is telling me how to live and what to do - I could be cursed if I didn't listen.  Maybe that is why so many things are wrong in my life? - I am a mess and GOD is mad? (I thought to myself).

No they tell you what you should do (note; when you hear the word "should" in your mind/thoughts - ignore it, it is part of the great lie).  Anyway they never explained the steps or system to do all these things that needed to be done.  Like a hamster on the wheel.  The answer is 'there are no steps/systems' it is JESUS in you and you in HIM.  And just plain ole trust that it is so.  When you doubt it, we all had doubts but get your eyes back on the impossible that you are really the righteousness of GOD through JESUS CHRIST. 2 Cor 5:21  you will grow to trust HIM.