Tag: Righteous

The Law is not Made for a Righteous Man

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1Timothy 1:8-11 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. 

‘That the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers.’

Fifteen classes the Law was made for: The lawless [Greek: anomos] contempt for law; no rule of moral conduct. Translated “lawless” (1Tim. 1:9); “without law” (1Cor. 9:21); “unlawful” (2Pet. 2:8); “transgressor” (Mark 15:28; Luke 22:37); and “wicked” (Acts 2:23; 2Thess. 2:8). The disobedient [Greek: anupotaktos] is not under subjection; undisciplined. Translated “disobedient” (1Tim. 1:9); “not put under” (Heb. 2:8); and “unruly” (Tit. 1:6, 10). The ungodly [Greek: asebes] irreligious (1Tim. 1:9; 1Pet. 4:18; 2Pet. 2:5; 3:7; Jude 1:4, 15). The sinners [Greek: hamartolos] that transgress the law. Translated “sinner” 41 times and “sinful” (Mark 8:38; Luke 5:8; 24:7; Rom. 7:13). The unholy [Greek: anosios] totally depraved; the utter opposite of holiness within and without. The profane [Greek: bebelos] are those that are not fit to attend public worship (1Tim. 1:9; 4:7; 6:20; 2Tim. 2:16; Heb. 12:16). The patricides [Greek: patraloas] are those who strike or slay their father. The matricides [Greek: metraloas] are those who strike or slay their mother. The murderers [Greek: androphonois] are those who take any human life contrary to law. The whoremongers [Greek: pornois] prostitutes. Sexual perverts [Greek: arsenokoitais] are those guilty of unnatural sexual practices. Menstealers [Greek: andrapodistais] kidnappers; are those who steal or kidnap people and sell and buy them in human trafficking. Liars [Greek: pseustais] say things are for truth what is known to be false (1Tim. 1:10; John 8:44-45; Rom. 3:4; Tit. 1:12; 1Jn. 1:10; 2:4, 22; 4:20; 5:10). Perjurers [Greek: epiorkois those who lie under oath. Those guilty of any vice contrary to sound doctrine (1Tim. 1:10; Gal. 5:21).

‘Blessed God’ – Only here and in 1Timothy 6:15 is the word blessed [Greek: Makarios, happy; cp. Matt. 5:3-11) applied to God.

No One Is Righteous

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Romans 3:9-10 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one 

‘What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise’ Paul states here clearly that the Jews do not have a better claim to the gospel than Gentiles. This is the last Jewish part of the dialogue of Romans 3:1-9. Paul answers that they have no more claim before God than Gentiles. The Jew has asked nine questions in this dialogue (3:1, 3, 5, 7, 9). Paul has answered them in verses 3:2, 4, 6, 8, 9.

‘Before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin’ in his last answer Paul comes back to the main subject of this section (Romans 1:18-3:20). The sum of the proof of world guilt: The 40 sins and the 20-fold apostasy of the Gentile world (1:18-32); an indictment of the self-righteous Jews who condemned the Gentiles, but were guilty of the same sins (2:1-2); impenitence of both Jews and Gentiles proved them sinners (2:3-6); the refusal of both classes in obeying the gospel (2:7-11); failure of both classes in walking in the light (knowledge of the Word) received (3:12-16); the Jews were exceedingly sinful because of their failure to live up to the law and superior advantages (2:17-29); the Jews were deeper sinners because of seeking excuses for their sinfulness contrary to the law and their own high profession of godliness (3:1-9).

‘Under sin’ sin is a real force that dominates and enslaves (5:12-21).

‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one’ this passage (3:10-18) is from several Old Testament books on the same subject. Romans 3:10-12 are from Psalms 14:2-3; 52:2-4; Ecclesiastes 7:20. Romans 3:13-18 are from Psalms 5:9-10; 10:7; 36:1-2; 140:3; Isaiah 59:7-8.

‘There is none righteous’ having stated (3:9) that he had already proved both Jews and Gentiles to be under sin, he now proceeds to clinch this argument by the Jewish Scriptures which they could not deny. ‘Righteous’ no one is righteous in himself.

Be Mindful

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2Peter 3:1-4 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: That you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. 

‘This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance’ the second epistle of Peter wherein he exhorts believers to stand true in all kinds of suffering, and to set forth the true grace of God (1Pet. 5:12). In this second epistle Peter foretells conditions of the latter days and shows more fully how the earth will be renovated by fire instead of by water as in the two great universal floods of Lucifer and Noah (3:1-13).

‘Holy prophets’ here Peter classes the writings of the apostles [New Testament authors] as equal in authority to the writings of the holy prophets [Old Testament authors].

‘Knowing this first, that here shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts’ this is the 5th New Testament prophecy in 2Peter that is being fulfilled. One of the signs of the last days that those who mock the Word of God [anyone contradicting, misquoting or disobeying God’s Word] will be living according to their lusts (whatever their sinful natures desire).

‘Where is the promise of his coming?’ one of the promises that mockers use to contradict the Word of God of His promise that He will return. The two comings of the Lord (the rapture and Second Advent) are some of the most practical and fruitful doctrines in Scripture. They are real incentives to holiness (1Jn. 3:1-3), profitable in exhorting to watchfulness and faithfulness (Matt. 24:25; 1Jn. 2:28), patience (Jas. 5:7,8), death to self (Col. 3:3-5), endurance (1Pet. 1:7; 4:13), holy conversation and godliness (2Pet. 3:11-13), soberness anal righteousness (Tit. 2:11-13), consolation (1Thess. 4:13-18), blamelessness (1Cor. 1:4-8), pastoral diligence and purity (1Pet. 5:1-4), sincerity (Php. 1:9, 10), mildness (Php. 4:5, 6), and hope (1Cor. 15). The rapture will be to the saints the beginning of eternal and ever-increasing joy and glory. The second coming will be to Israel and all righteous earthly nations the beginning of eternal and ever-increasing blessing and favour.

The Parable of Weeds

~ iolaHC ~ 1 Comment

Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. Mat. 13:24-26 KJV

The sower illustrates the Son of Man (Jesus) Mt. 13:37 and the “good seed” illustrates the true children of the kingdom of Heaven. The field illustrates the world of men and the tares illustrate the professed children of the kingdom who are, in reality, the sons of the devil, who sowed them among the wheat. Mt. 13:25, 38-39 The wheat being in the ground first shows God’s plan concerning the kingdom, that only good shall be in it and that every one who professes to be a child of God should really be one. An enemy – the devil Mt. 13:25,28,39; Lk. 10:19; Acts 13:10 – sowed tares among the wheat, causing a mixture of good and bad in the same field. Thus, the kingdom of Heaven now takes on a new aspect and should rightly be understood as “the sphere of profession, “Christendom,” or “the kingdom of Heaven in mystery.”

It was common in the East for enemies to sow tares and other poisonous seeds in the fields of those they wished to hurt. In India various weeds are sown that take years to get rid of.  The word “tares” – the Greek, zizania, occurs only in Matthew 13:25, 36 is not the same as the darnel of the naturalists, but zewan, as known in Palestine today. While growing it looks like wheat, but when full grown the ears are long and the grain is black. Each grain of the zewan must be removed before grinding the wheat, or the bread is bitter and poisonous. Tares show their true color as they ripen. Verse 26 shows that the tares could not be detected until the fruit began to appear. Mt. 7:15-20

He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. Mat. 13:27-30 KJV

The tares and the wheat both grow side by side in the same field, which is the will of the householder, until the harvest. Mt. 13:37-40 Both saved and unsaved who profess to be children of the kingdom will mingle together in this world until the end of the age. The harvest illustrates the separation of the wicked among the just at the end of this age when the Messiah comes to reign. Mt. 13:39-43; 25:31-46; 1 Thess. 5:1-11; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Jude 14; Zech. 14:1-21   The reapers illustrate angels who will separate the wicked from the good when Christ comes. Mt. 13:39-43; 24:31, 51; 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-10

As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;  And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Mat. 13:40-43 KJV

The expression of “the end of the world” means “the end of the age.” At this time the kingdom of Heaven ceases to be the sphere of profession and becomes the literal kingdom of Heaven, or the reign of the Messiah over all the kingdoms of this world. Rev. 11:15; Dan. 7:13-14, 18

When the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, refers to the time when the judgment of the nations Mt. 25:31-46; Dan. 7:9 will be executed. The tares will be burned in the same sense the branches of Christ will be if they do not abide in Him. Mt. 8:12; 13:40-43,49-50; 24:31; 25:41,46; Jn. 15:6

The furnace of fire where there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth is another description of eternal hell, not the grave. Mt. 13:42,50; Rev. 9:2 Wailing, Mt. 13:50 weeping Mt. 8:12; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Lk. 13:28 and the gnashing of teeth, picture bitter remorse and pain. The righteous will take over the kingdoms of this world forever Rev. 1:5-7; 5:10; 11:15; 20:4-6; 22:4-5; Mt. 25:31-46; Zech. 14 and they will be luminous like the sun Mt. 19:28; 25:31-46; Rev. 5:10; 20:1-10 and inherit all things. Mt. 5:5; 25:35; Lk. 12:32; Rom. 8:17; Dan. 7:18,22,27; Rev. 21:7

I choose to hear what the Word of God says and will live in obedience so that I can shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of my Heavenly Father! Amen

 

Having on the Breastplate

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… having on the breastplate of righteousness Eph. 6:14b KJV 

Continuing on the armor of God that we are commanded to put on to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might; we are also commanded to have on the breastplate of righteousness – covering our vital organs, we need to always ‘be in right standing’ with God.  Romans 6:13-20 describe this instruction clearly:

Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness.

I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as you have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness.

A RIGHTEOUS MAN is dead to sin and freed of it; Rom. 6 a new creature 2 Cor. 5:17-18 and has crucified the flesh; Gal. 5:24 imitates Christ Php. 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:21-22; 1 Jn. 2:6 confesses Him Rom. 10:9-10 and are His servants, Eph. 6:6 and the servants of righteousness. Rom. 6:19  He is holy and without blame, Eph. 1:4 kind and tender hearted, forgiving and merciful Eph. 4:32; Ps. 37:21 patient and longsuffering, Col. 1:11 prayerful. 1 Tim. 2:1-4  A righteous man hates lying Prov. 13:5 abhors wickedness Ps. 101:3-4 quits evil Isa. 1:16-17 sows, Hos. 10:12; Gal. 6:8 seeks Matt. 6:33  follows Heb. 12:14 and hungers for righteousness. Matt. 5:6

I choose to be like a tree planted, cultivated, and well-watered; that bring forth fruit in season; my leaves shall not wither; and whatsoever I do, I shall prosper! Ps. 1:3 Cleanse me from secret faults and keep me back from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD. Ps. 19:12-14