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.