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.

Grace and Love: 1905 Welsh Revival Song

Here is love, vast as the ocean,
Lovingkindness as the flood,
When the Prince of Life, our Ransom,
Shed for us His precious blood.
Who His love will not remember?
Who can cease to sing His praise?
He can never be forgotten,
Throughout Heav’n’s eternal days.

On the mount of crucifixion,
Fountains opened deep and wide;
Through the floodgates of God’s mercy
Flowed a vast and gracious tide.
Grace and love, like mighty rivers,
Poured incessant from above,
And Heav’n’s peace and perfect justice
Kissed a guilty world in love.

RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW

Am reposting an article by Alan Smith.


Though skeptical of his teenage son's new found determination to build bulging muscles, one father followed his teenager to the store's weight-lifting department, where they admired a set of weights.

"Please, Dad," pleaded the teen, "I promise I'll use them every day."

"I don't know, Michael. It's really a commitment on your part," the father said.

"Please, Dad?"

"They're not cheap either," the father said.

"I'll use 'em, Dad, I promise. You'll see."

Finally won over, the father paid for the equipment and headed for the door. After a few steps, he heard his son behind him say, "What! You mean I have to carry them to the car?"

That story reminds me somewhat of my commitment to follow Christ. Like Peter, who said, "Even if everyone else abandons you, I never will...Even if I have to die with you..." (Matthew 26:33,35, GOD'S WORD), I am committed to serving God in every big way imaginable. I am prepared to die as a martyr if the situation arises. I am prepared to serve as a missionary in foreign fields when my life situation allows me to. I am prepared to offer large sums of money to the cause of Christ whenever I "strike it rich."

However, I am sometimes hesitant to serve God in small ways right here, right now. I'm hesitant to use the $5.00 in my pocket to help someone in my presence who is in need. I'm hesitant to give up the time it takes to watch one TV show to spend some quiet time with God. I'm hesitant to show grace and forgiveness to someone who has hurt me deeply. I'm hesitant to speak up and talk about Jesus for fear of what someone might think. I'm insistent on getting my way and always being right, and so I'm hesitant to say, "I'm sorry."

Father, please forgive me. I have such grand dreams of ways I can serve you, and I tend to overlook the many ways I can serve you right here, right now. Help me in my resolve to be committed to you in all ways, both small and great. In Jesus' name, amen.

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much." (Luke 16:10)

Have a great day!