Classic Christianity – A Closer Look at The Reality of The Resurrection P20 (01-12-22)
For in the Gospel the Righteousness of God is Revealed!
“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17
A righteousness that is by faith from first to last! Do you believe it? Or, are you still trying to live in the energy of the flesh? Here’s the thing folks, you are never ever going to get that flesh cleaned up. It rears it’s ugly head time and time again. The things I don’t want to do, I do and the things I want to do, I don’t do. You can’t carry it out. Paul found this out for himself. He found out that there was nothing good in his flesh. Every time he thought about himself, he realized that that was the flesh talking to him. The flesh loves me, myself and I. It focuses on self. And it loves self righteousness.
Paul explained to the Philippians, that he himself had reasons for such confidence (in the flesh) though he put No confidence at all in his flesh. Paul knew in his heart the hypocrisy that the flesh generates. Paul was obeying the exterior requirements of the law prior to him coming to know Jesus, but after he came to know the risen Savior, Paul on the inside came to know the truth of what was going on with his flesh, and now the Truth lived in him. A Righteousness from God was revealed to him!
Has the Righteousness of God been revealed to you by God? It is our prayer that you would come to know the Righteousness of God, Jesus Christ today.
Listen in as Bob George teaches out of the bible study booklet, A Closer Look at the Reality of the Resurrection. Order your copy today at https://shop.bobgeorge.net.
Philippians 3:4-6
4 If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Now Paul goes on to explain that he now considers all of those things that he mentions before in the flesh, he counts them all as worthless garbage [DUNG] as compared to knowing Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:7-11
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
What things did Paul lose? He lost everything for the sake of Christ. He lost his job. He lost his prestige. But Paul says that it doesn’t matter, because he gained the righteousness of God!
Romans 3:22 KJV
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Paul presses on. Don’t beat yourself up over the past. Walk in faith in the present. You can’t do anything about the past. Live by faith in Him living in you at this moment in time. We are to walk by faith.
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
If you are a new creation in Christ Jesus, you are no longer a sinner. You are a SAINT! Quit thinking of yourself as a sinner. Understand your identity in Christ.
Galatians 5:15
15 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
So, walk by faith in His righteousness. Don’t depend on yourself. Live by FAITH!
Romans 1:17
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
The righteousness is of God, not yours, but His. When we walk in the spirit, we walk in dependency on that. Legalism is the biggest detriment to that! The Apostle Paul is about as subtle as a meat cleaver here. In Galatians 3, Paul hits them over the head with his statement. You foolish idiotic … (enter your church or other identities here). How foolish we are!
Galatians 3:1 New Living Translation
1 Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you? For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross.
Now folks, it is Christ that sets you apart. You are not sanctified by what you do or don’t do. You are sanctified (set apart) by Christ Jesus on what He did and what He has done to you. He set you apart! You are an instrument to be used by Him. Make yourself available to Him.
Galatians 3:1-6
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? a 4 Have you experienced b so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5 So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
Work as unto the Lord. Don’t bring in human philosophy into it. So, did you get saved by doing something through human effort? No. Then why are you trying to maintain it by human effort? Instead continue on in belief. Continue on in faith! You started in belief, now continue in belief.
Think about it folks. There’s a lot of junk that goes on in churches today. Have patience with one another. Don’t have in mind “your goal” but instead have in mind the goal of God. Reach out with understanding to others.
Colossians 2:23
23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
A Closer Look at The Reality of the Resurrection
John 3:3
3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”
