Holiness In the New Covenant

What is holiness? I know many of the pulpit preachers equate holiness to a life of not "committing" sins - and they usually have a list of sins to prove their point. But really, is holiness (being set-apart is one meaning) anything to do with the things we... ahem "do"? Or is it that by doing "good works" one can become "holy"? Is holiness equal to sinless-ness?

No wonder people - and especially young people, are left in confusion as to what constitutes holiness, when the scripture clearly say that there is "none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 2:10); and again "all our righteousness are like filthy rags" (Is. 64:6). Who is holy then? There is also an impression given out by a certain section of people in church gatherings who sing "Holy holy holy" in charismatic circles that they (and only they) are holy. This is nothing but a religious fervour bordering on the Pharisaic attitude of "Holier than Thou" (Is. 65 5).

But the problem remains in seeing oneself "holier" than the rest and generally looking down on the so-called laity with disdain while preaching that THEY have to DO something more to become "holy". The voice thunders with emotion: Thus says the LORD God "Be holy, for I am holy."

It does not take a great revelation to see that God is Holy. And anything that is to do with holiness must start from God Himself. In fact, not even the seraphim - the four living creatures who cry out day and night, without ceasing, saying "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord Almighty..." are counted as holy (though they are doubtless sinless!).

Now, let me show you what is given to us - those who believe in Jesus Christ, in the New Covenant. A gift most precious than gold, and a status the angels can only dream about. Hebrews Chapter-1 is a comparison of the Son with the angels of heaven, and the conclusion - the Son is GREATER.

1. WHEN the Caller is Holy...
1 Peter 1:15-16 NKJV
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, [16] because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

If the conduct is not founded on the Caller and His calling, all your "good works" amounts to nothing. But if it is, then our conduct is holy too.

2. The Calling is holy
2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,

Clearly not of "our works" - but His purpose and grace-given to us in Christ Jesus.

3. The Called are holy
1 Peter 2:9 NKJV
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

4. The Cost is holy (and so, the purchase)
Hebrews 10:9-10 NIV
Then he said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will.” He sets aside the first to establish the second. [10] And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

5. The Cause is holy (and so, the effect)
Romans 11:16 NKJV
For if the first-fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

Jesus has become the first-fruit. And we know He is holy. Jesus is the vine, we are the branches. We know Jesus is holy. Therefore, we the branches are holy.

6. The commune of Holy brethren
Hebrews 2:16, 3:1 NKJV
For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham.
Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus,

That still leaves us with a question: How can we fulfil the mandate of God's calling of "Be holy, for I am holy" that is part of point No.1 that we discussed. The answer is given by Peter himself, just a few verses earlier:

1 Peter 1:13 NKJV
Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

The more you depend on His grace (actually fully depending upon grace), the more we can have a revelation of who Jesus is and who we are in Him - holy, precious and beloved.

This is finally what we can call as the last straw in our mind-blocks in HOLINESS. If God started it, and God is in the process of completing it, who are we to judge the believers in the congregation? Haven't they all passed from condemnation to new life? (Heb. 8:1) Why is the church preaching continues to be "Repent, Repent and Repent" when we should be preaching to believers saying "You have been made holy, holy, holy by the work of Jesus Christ"?

THAT requires a real revelation - to see our brother sitting next to us in the church pews (or chairs) and saying to ourselves "Ah! That is my dear HOLY brother" or "Holy sister!"

Peter had this revelation right in the beginning of his ministry, as he was about to be called by Cornelius' servants, and Peter being a jew was unsure of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles considered as unclean and "common". We read about it in Acts 10.

Acts 10:15 NKJV
And a voice spoke to him again the second time, "What God has cleansed you must not call common."

And that is a warning to us, who are quick to judge others - and judge even the believers! What God has cleansed we must not call common.

Peter held on to this revelation and is bold to declare in 1 Peter 2:9 - But you ARE a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a HOLY nation, a peculiar people to show forth the praises of Him, who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.

How wonderful! How marvellous! And my song shall ever be...

Salut! Holy brother. Hello, Holy sister. Praise Jesus.

1 John 3:1 NKJV
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed (lavished) on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him

Ruth and the Closer Relative

"Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin." - Rom. 3: 19, 20

As we study the Old Testament and divide it into two main portions - Law and the Prophets, we find the three books - Judges - Joshua - Ruth sandwiched between these two main portions. Now we know that Joshua in Hebrew means "God is Salvation" - the same as JESUS in the Greek. And so we see Jesus in the centre of even the Old testament! Just as He is the centre of all creation, and centre of time - dividing B.C from A.D (Anna Domini - Years of Grace Chapter over, close the Book .. :) we will come to that later).

On the side of the Law is also Judges, if you take Joshua to be the central book of the Old Testament - showing us that if we try to come to Jesus through the Law, we will enter into Judgement. And by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight... (Rom. 3:20 and Gal 2:16).

But thank God, you can approach the heavenly Joshua from the other side, what the Prophets foretold... and from the Book of Ruth.

Now Ruth is a Moabite - a foreigner - a Gentile! Disqualified in every way according to the law of Moses. But coming back to the place of bread (Bethlehem literally means "house of bread") along with Naomi, Ruth finds the kinsman Redeemer, who is willing to redeem and marry her!

But hark! There is a problem-there is a still closer relative! He should be consulted first! (Ruth 3: 12). To see if he could perform the dutiful redemption. Will he be able to perform the duty of a close relative? Redeem her... take her?

Now who does this unnamed close relative typify?

My friends, it is the law. The Law that demands perfection, calls for excellence in performance, no failures tolerated and would be quick to judge the error. The Law that says do this, don't do that! And when it comes to redemption, do you want to know what this close relative would say?

"I cannot redeem!" (I cannot SAVE!) Ruth 4: 6

Law that takes off the sandals, saying I cannot walk that path to redemption for you. Law that boasts of not missing even the dots and crosses of the letter; and still unable to justify even one person who does it. Law that shows how wrong you are, with all the right reasons, and still unable to make the wrong right! Law that subjects every one UNDER IT to a life of bondage - bringing up the Ishmael generation and the old covenant on Mt Sinai; persecutes the children of promise - the Isaac generation and those having the promises in the new and everlasting covenant on Mount Zion (Gal. 4: 24 - 28)

Thank God for GRACE. Grace that is greater than all my sin. Grace that would pardon and cleanse within. Grace that would pour till waters in deserts flow, and scorching heat of summer turns to spring time glow. There is a Redeemer kinsman. Jesus, God's own Son. Precious Lamb of God Messiah... O for sinners slain.

Yes, Boaz would redeem Ruth, marry her. And she who had been barren and a widow brought forth a son; Ruth also became the great grandmother to the sweet psalmist of Israel and a great king - king David!

How do we find grace? Or does Grace find us? This is a question like the "Which was first? The egg or the chicken?" question. Yes, Grace found me. Yes, I found grace. So then, brethren, we are NOT children of the bondwoman but of the free. (Gal. 4: 31)

Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a friend!

There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother - JESUS MESSIAH.

Christ the Rock

As I read Exodus 12:13, I understand that God passes by us and yet we are free from His righteous JUDGMENT (that would have otherwise killed us because of sin), if ONLY He sees the blood of the Lamb on the door-post. What a picture of safety and security in the life of the people Israel, as one by one of their Egyptian masters faced one of their most terrible nights when all their first-born (even first-born animals) lay dead.

There was another first-born bearing the iniquity for all the people of Israel in the symbolic blood of the Lamb - the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. And none of the children of Israel perished.

In the old covenant, the Egyptians had no choice to believe in the blood of the Lamb. But now, in the New Covenant, EVERYONE who believes in JESUS are saved from the righteous judgment of God with regard to their sins. Yes, Everyone who BELIEVES. This is the gospel of salvation, where you don't need to go up for a penance in the forest, or take a dip in some river or compensate with "good" works for the sins committed - because all these CANNOT wash away your sins. Simply believe in JESUS, and His finished work on the cross will take care of your rest (pun intended).

When we compare Jer. 9:24 and 1 Cor. 1:30, 31 we see the picture of God and Christ clearly.

"But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness (GRACE), JUDGMENT, and RIGHTEOUSNESS in the earth, for in these I delight," says the LORD. - Jer. 9:24

"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." - 1 Cor. 1:30, 31

If we compare these two verses and strike out the common "righteousness" what is left is GRACE - that can be equated to sanctification and redemption in Jesus Christ. Now what is left of the verse in Jeremiah is only JUDGMENT - which has DISAPPEARED under the New for those "...in Christ Jesus".

Yes, sister.

Those who are in Christ Jesus is SAVED from the righteous JUDGMENT of God on account of sins. The blood of the Lamb is on the door-posts ,,, and death (wages of sin) has no power to penetrate through.

That is why Moses had to placed in the cleft of the Rock, before God could pass by Him. (Exodus 33: 22, 23). THAT is a picture of Jesus - the Rock of Ages cleft for Moses. Else, Moses would have died the moment God (and His judgment) passed by him. As it is written, "...For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ." - 1 Cor. 10: 4

Hallelujah! What a Saviour. Hallelujah, what a friend!

For those in Christ... these are some of the benefits (and I particularly like the word "therefore" (that's for meditation some other day)):

1. Now, therefore there is no condemnation... (Rom. 8:1)
2. Therefore, ... he is a NEW CREATION. Old things have passed away, behold all things have become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)

Rock of Ages, cleft for me
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood
From Thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the DOUBLE cure -
Saved from WRATH and make me PURE.

You are saved from God's wrath (judgment) because YOU ARE IN CHRIST JESUS.

Amen.

License to Boast

Jer. 9:23-24

Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.

Are you the type who boasts? And people preachers / pleasers would have turned up their noses at you and sneer "That's a proud man - that's what he is!"

But, if there is one thing a man is inclined to be, it is to be boastful... about something he is, or something he has. Somehow time and again, more often than not, this nature of boasting wells up within us. If you are one of those struggling with this nature, here is some 'good' news for you - actually you can and you may, or should I dare say, you should BOAST.

Yes, God Himself gives you a license to boast about this: LET HIM BOAST...that you he knows Me and understands Me. (Not know about Him, but know Him, mind you!)

Paul quotes this in his letter to Corinthians, so you can be sure that this is really New Covenant stuff too.

'But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." [1 Cor. 1: 30, 31]

What a blessed state, to be boastful and without guilt... boast in the LORD.

But one other thing I notice is that, as Paul quotes from the Old, there is one glaring omission in the New Covenant of the attributes of the LORD- that of judgement.

What?

Yes, brother.

God's judgment is taken away in Jesus Christ, who became for US (who believe) wisdom from God- and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

Hallelujah!

Jonah and Noah

Jonah: Hi, Noah. What are ya doing there?

Noah: Getting some gopher… wood for completion of the ark I’m building. And you?

Jonah: Ark, boat, ship… I don’t even want to hear anything about it. (Says to himself: You will never find out how I’ve been thrown out of one of those). And what is the ark for?

Noah: I guess it’s for those who wants to come in when the flood comes. Never seen the flood come yet, but this is what God told me. You look kind of messy, where have you been? Would you like to come into the ark, too?

Jonah: Ugh… I’m all right. Just some jelly… I mean fish belly and stuff. (Good, he doesn’t know anything about me.) [Chuckles] I’ve got some job to do… yeah, some preaching! (Muttering to himself "To these filthy Ninevites")

Noah: Preaching? I like that job too. I do it a bit too whenever I find time.

Jonah: Really? I didn’t know that. What are you preaching on?

Noah: Oh, righteousness, of course (2 Peter 2:5). I invite everyone…that whoever wants to come in to the ark may come in before the flood comes. And you, what are you preaching on and for how long?

Jonah: Oh, about destruction and judgment these past forty days. So, how many have come into the ark?

Noah: (sadly) No one yet, besides my family. These 100 years I’ve been doing this, and I don’t know why no one would believe and be saved. How I wish they are saved. (sighs) What about you? Any results?

Jonah: (sadly) Drat. Oh, every one of them have turned. From the king to the pauper. Everyone. How I wish they were destroyed. I am waiting to see the end of this wicked nation and God is being merciful.

Noah: Hey, hold on. No one can be that bad they cannot be saved. Shouldn’t you be glad that God is indeed gracious. He saves the wretched sinner as well as the pious preacher!

Jonah: But see here, I am good. I want my people to prosper. Why should I care about my enemies? This is why I ran away, took a ship to Tarshish and here now… all because of that wretched storm… and fish… and three days and three nights… and the prayer! O and now this hot sun… and the wretched insect…

Jesus: Hey Jonah! Here’s the shade you are looking for. The cross… This is what Noah is talking about. This is the ark where God’s judgment fell on me… The blood that is shed is the forever sacrifice that protects those inside the ark. Just as Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the LORD (Gen 6: 8), you too can. Just as Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness (Gen. 15: 6, Rom. 4: 3, Gal. 3: 6, James 2: 23), you can be righteous, too. Do you believe Me?

Jonah: *Speechless*

Noah: Hey, Jonah! Don't you know that you can have the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, because all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. There is none righteous, no not one. And no one can be saved by their own righteousness. They have to come into the ark - the CROSS of Jesus.

Jesus: I have lived, I have died your death and now behold I am alive forevermore!
 

Noah: Would you come into the ark? It is FINISHED!

Jonah nods, and goes with Noah.

Now my question: Where are the Noahs today?
 

"And as it was in the in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:" - Luke 17:26.

Jesus second coming is near. We hear this almost everyday in Christian circles somewhere. But, really? Show me the Noahs first; aren't we more familiar with Jonahs in the pulpit?

But show me the Noahs – those who preach righteousness (by faith) in Jesus and the finished work (ark) on the cross.

Yes? Then I know, Jesus is coming.

Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

Righteousness Reasoning (Part 4)

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are like crimson, they shall be as wool. (Isaiah 1:18)

Now as he (Paul) reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."

How convenient for many, that they think they will think about it some other time, when someone reasons with them about the gift of righteousness, by which one may enter the ark of safety, away from the just judgment of God."Just like Noah did with his household finding refuge and safety in THE ARK, when the rains of God's judgment fell on all the earth.

Again, it is written thus:

"Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt."- Exo. 12:13

And for so long, I was taught and sang that the blood of Jesus protects me from the devil! That the devil can do me no harm! How grossly wrong!!

The TRUTH is that the blood of Jesus shields us from God's holy and righteous judgment. Yes, He passes over us. Why? Because the substitute lamb-the sacrificial Lamb Jesus, has borne the brunt of judgment. The blood is shed, the death is done, the ransom is paid. Now in place of God's anger is His abundant grace and His gift of righteousness, freely extended to those of faith in Jesus Christ and His shed blood. Forever.

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter..." - Isaiah 53:6-7

Egypt is that land of bondage where the LORD passed over Israel. Egypt is synonymous with LAW and Mount Sinai (Gal. 4:24). But the promised land is the land flowing with milk and honey - a place of freedom and rest under God's GRACE (Mount Zion and the Jerusalem above).

"Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise." "So then brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free."- Gal. 4:28, 31

Hallelujah! We are set free! Liberty!

Righteousness Reasoning (Part 3)

"And as it was in the in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man:" - Luke 17:26.

I suddenly remembered this verse, as I was meditating on what Noah would have done all those years, as he patiently prepared the ark, and went about preaching righteousness (2 Pet 2:5). The ark is now prepared - which is the cross of Jesus Christ. All who believe in Him would be saved.... All these thoughts passed through my mind, when I heard the Lord speaking to me: "So, how will the days of the Son of Man be?"

I was ready with an answer. I must have gone through these verses a hundred times since Sunday School. I started, "They were eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage and ..." when I sensed the Lord looking at me with a smile. I paused and looked at Him; surely I am not wrong... these are written in the following verses for all to see. What is it you are smiling about, Lord? And I heard Him say with that same quizzical smile, "Son, aren't you missing something?"

And suddenly it hit me. How could I have MISSED THAT!

It reminded me of a story, where a Biker on his motor-bike would cross an international border with a huge sack of sand tied to the pillion seat. And every time, the soldier would check the sack and find nothing but sand, and would allow the Biker to pass. Finally frustrated, one day the soldier would ask, "What are you smuggling anyway? I know you are!"
To which the Biker smiles and says, "I don't mind telling you, since this is my last consignment; all these months I was just smuggling the bike!"

What! How obvious once you know it. Yes, this is how we miss the obvious part when we read Luke 17:26. This was the reason the Lord had a quizzical smile as He looked at me.

The coming of the Son of Man will be like the days of Noah. And in the days of Noah, THERE WAS A PERSON CALLED NOAH. This is the obvious conclusion.

Where are the "Noahs" today? Where are they who does what Noah was doing - preaching righteousness. The ark is already prepared in the cross of Jesus Christ. But where are the RIGHTEOUSNESS PREACHERS?

When you see the church and preachers preach on the GIFT of RIGHTEOUSNESS (Rom. 5:17), then you know that the days have come for the Son of Man to return. Amen. Come Lord Jesus!

Noah found grace (incredibly the first occurrence of the word GRACE in the Scriptures) in the sight of the Lord. And he became the HEIR of RIGHTEOUSNESS according to faith. As it is written,

"By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of righteousness WHICH IS ACCORDING TO FAITH" - Heb. 11:7

Again, What does the Scriptures say, "Abraham believed God and IT was accounted to him for RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Rom. 4:3 and Gen. 15:6)

Don't miss out on the obvious. Know what to preach - the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God. Would you like to see Jesus' return? REALLY? Start to preach RIGHTEOUSNESS.

RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD.
RECEIVED as a GIFT. In
RESPONSE to FAITH.
RANSOM paid by JESUS
REVEALED  through His Spirit.

Believers become heir of RIGHTEOUSNESS.

Righteousness Reasoning (Part 2)

Why do we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ? All authority has been given to Jesus in heaven and on earth. Therefore (it follows that, that is why) we go and preach the gospel.

But what exactly is the gospel of Jesus Christ that we preach?

I know many would say that there is forgiveness of sins because of the blood of Jesus Christ, which He shed for you and me on the cross of Calvary. Or that we have everlasting life in believing in the Son of God - Jesus Christ, and so we can go to heaven when we die.

I know all this is true. But really, if you ask me, there are other religions too that speaks of "Heaven" or "Moksha" or "Salvation" or "Nirvana" which we can attain by penance and good-living; and there are some who do believe that if you dip yourself in a particular river, all your sins will be gone. Really?

Then, how is the "Christian" gospel better than these? How do we really convince that there is one earthly life-and no physical re-births, when we do speak of being born-again in the spirit? How do we say sins being forgiven is important, when people have devised other "means" of obtaining "cleansing" for the sins committed by them?

I WILL TELL YOU HOW.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." - Romans 1:17.

What? Righteousness does NOT come by right-doing? No, brother. It does NOT. You mean there is a righteousness that we can receive irrespective of what we have done or not done. Yes, sister. "
"By the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight...But now the righteousness of God apart APART FROM THE LAW (i.e. apart from doing good or doing bad) is revealed... even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, TO ALL and ON ALL WHO BELIEVE." - Romans 3:20...22.

Believe what? Believe that redemption is in Christ Jesus' shed blood, and you will be justified from all things from which you could not be justified by law.

I can understand forgiveness of sins by the blood of Jesus. But receiving righteousness - isn't it stretching things a bit too far?

No brother. That is the gospel (good news) that no other religion, no other faith can give. One Man's (Jesus') righteous act on the cross, has forever taken the power of condemnation and guilt away from those who believe, and we receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17).

This is the gospel Noah (probably the first preacher) preached! (2 Peter 2:5) A preacher of righteousness when Jesus was not even revealed. Surely he did not preach that the world was going to end and all life will be destroyed. He was preaching about that ark that he was building that would save all men, if they would only come inside! But not one of them believed him! That is the story of the cross of Jesus - the ark built for you and me; saving us eternally, if only you would believe.

This is the gospel Paul preached. (Acts 24:25) Felix and his Jewish wife-Drusilla, was hearing Paul concerning the faith in Christ. And Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come. I believe that is the order to preach the gospel - righteousness (the faith), self-control (the fruit) and the judgment to come (the finish).

Dear one, why don't you receive the gift of righteousness? I believe-I receive. Amen.

Righteousness Reasoning (Part-1)

There were these two guys - Munna and Sam. Sam knew Munna to be a simpleton, and imagine his astonishment when he found Munna in the police station. Sam went and enquired what had happened, to which Munna replied defensively, "See, I have done two good things, but they have brought me here saying I have to be punished."
"What!" - Sam replied. "Surely there must be some mistake. What did you do, Munna?"
Munna replied, "See, there was this man bleeding from his head by the side of the road, with no one to care. And it was I who took him to the hospital, in an auto-rickshaw"
"And there was this huge stone right in the middle of the road, hindering traffic. I took it with both my hands, and threw it to the side. For these things, I have been brought here."
Sam pacified Munna and went to talk to the police officer-in-charge. "Sir, I know him to be simple. He says he did only good, how can you bring him here?" started Sam.
With an impudent face, the officer replied, "Ha! Did nothing at all would be okay. Didn't you ask him how the person got hurt and found bleeding? The rock that he threw hit the poor fellow on the head"

What an interesting story! Everyone is bound to their own perceptions and reasoning, until the law (police officer) takes charge based only on the result of what happened, no matter how good your intentions.

The kingdom principle works exactly 180 degree opposite; the Spirit searches the intents and motives of the heart. Have you ever wondered WHY you do what you do? You maybe a Sunday-school teacher, an elder, a song-leader, or part of the choir group or even the one who preach occasionally. WHY DO YOU DO WHAT YOU DO?

As a simple example, if you are an evangelist telling the good news of Jesus Christ, have you ever wondered why you do what you do? I know many would answer - "to plunder hell and to populate heaven" or "I can't see souls perishing in darkness and want them saved" or "The great commission gives us explicit directions to go and preach" or some such things.

I agree all these are valid statements. But it came as a revelation as I read through the verses popularly called as "The Great Commission" found in Matt. 28:19-20. I began to wonder why people leave out verse18.

Jesus explicitly spells out the reason for our mission- "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore..."

The "Why?" for our mission must be primarily focussed on this: ALL AUTORITY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO JESUS in heaven and on earth. That is WHY WE GO where we GO; That is WHY WE DO what we do. Go ahead now - evangelise.

Be blessed in Jesus.

Gift of Righteousness

A father had 2 sons. One of his sons, the elder one, emigrated to the US after his education and by and by became a very wealthy man. His younger son meanwhile languished in his own country, India and barely managed to make a living. By and by, this younger brother became so poor that he could hardly support himself and despaired for his life, when the news came that his elder brother had passed away, and left all his wealth to him-the younger brother. Through a lawyer, and a proper will, the younger brother was invited to inherit the wealth, and citizenship. He dressed his best and boarded a flight and landed at his late brother's place and had everything transferred to his name, as per the will.

By this time, a small group had gathered there, and a press reporter nearby, could not stop himself from asking, "Sir, so how much have you inherited from your brother?". As everyone waited for his answer, the younger brother said in a fair-pitched voice, "630 billion US dollars, and 5 paise". Although in awe, a quizzical look passed through the face of the reporter as he quipped, "So, what is '5 paise?' Is it worth much? Where did you have it?" The younger brother replied, "The dollar part and billions belong to my brother. But as I was travelling from my home country to here, i put my hand in my shirt pocket; and lo, and behold, I did have some money-this 5 paise" as he proudly showed it around.

A bystander mockingly said "Oh, but don't you know a 5 paise is worth nothing, either here or in your own country".

Although this is a story of my own imagination, it brings out the point I want to make: that this is what people say concerning RIGHTEOUSNESS. That we will somehow be accepted by God, when we do the right things. That our righteousness really amounts to something. But Romans 6:21-23 talks of the righteousness of God APART from the law-i.e., apart from doing good or doing bad. It says, "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. For there is no difference, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,.."

What a pity, that the younger brother wanted to cling on to his old currency, however worthless; how is it possible that we mix different currencies and have an addition? There is no mathematical conversion formula between the righteousness of man and the righteousness of God. Isaiah says that all our righteousness are like FILTHY RAGS (Isaiah 64:6). (dirty ugly smelly).

God is able to fully deal with our sins; though they are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow (Is. 1:18), but how will He be able justify you, if you hold on to your own "righteousness"? (Luke 18: 10-14). How can you freely receive the gift of righteousness (Rom. 5:17) when your hands are full of your own "righteousness"?

Brother, the gift of righteousness is freely given to all who believe in the person of Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22). He has paid the penalty for all of our sins on the cross, that we may receive the righteousness of God credited into our own account. Our Father in heaven sees you as good, acceptable and perfect through Jesus Christ, and declares "This one is righteous!". No more do you have to fear the judgment of God, because of this righteousness of God.

Great is His love toward you, and great shall be your PEACE. Amen.