{"id":2012,"date":"2022-09-11T12:46:47","date_gmt":"2022-09-11T17:46:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/biblicalpath.com\/?p=2012"},"modified":"2022-09-11T12:46:47","modified_gmt":"2022-09-11T17:46:47","slug":"righteousness-and-salvation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/biblicalpath.com\/index.php\/2022\/09\/11\/righteousness-and-salvation\/","title":{"rendered":"Righteousness and Salvation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\u201cFinally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.<\/strong>\u201d
Ephesians 6:10 <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In this\nworld, one only needs to look around to see just how prevalent sin has become.\nThis sin is what separates man from the perfect and righteous God. \u201cBut your iniquities have separated between\nyou and your God, and your sins have hid his<\/em> face from you, that he will\nnot hear<\/strong>\u201d (Isaiah 59:2). However, instead of man wanting to\nreestablish the broken relationship, that separation from God, man\u2019s tendency\nis to continue in that sin. \u201cTheir\nfeet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are<\/em>\nthoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are<\/em> in their paths.<\/strong>\u201d\n(Isaiah 59:7).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul understood this, for he was one who recognized he was a\nsinner separated from God (\u201c\u2026 <\/strong>that\nChrist Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief<\/strong>\u201d\n1 Timothy 1:15b). In that recognition that he was a sinner, he wanted all\npeople to understand they were in the same condition in which he found himself.\n\u201c10. As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11. There is\nnone that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12. They are all\ngone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that\ndoeth good, no, not one. \u2026<\/strong>18.\nThere is no fear of God before their eyes<\/strong>\u201d (Romans 3:10-18). But more than that, he wanted all to\nrecognize that God knew, and He had made a provision to restore that broken\nrelationship. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Man needed an intercessor (a mediator between\na sinful man and a Holy God). In order to be worthy, the intercessor had to be\nperfect, sinless, enabling Him to redeem man from the condemnation of sin \u2013\ndeath. God sent His only Son into the world to pay the penalty for man\u2019s sin.\nIn the book of Isaiah, God told the people what He would do. \u201c16. And he saw\nthat there was<\/em> no man, and wondered that there was<\/em> no\nintercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his\nrighteousness, it sustained him. 17. For he put on righteousness as a breastplate,\nand an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of\nvengeance for<\/em> clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke \u2026 19. So shall\nthey fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of\nthe sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD\nshall lift up a standard against him. <\/strong>20. And the Redeemer shall come to <\/strong>Zion<\/strong>, and unto them that turn from\ntransgression in Jacob, saith the LORD.<\/strong>\u201d (Isaiah 59:16-20). Jesus,\nthe Redeemer, came. He became the intercessor, bringing salvation by His\nrighteousness. With that, when the enemy comes, there is a standard that is\nlifted up against him. It is Jesus, the Redeemer. He came \u2013 just as God\ndeclared He would. \u201c4. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love\nwherewith he loved us, 5. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us\ntogether with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) \u2026 8. For by grace are ye saved\nthrough faith; and that not of yourselves: it is<\/em> the gift of God: <\/strong>9. Not of works, lest any man should boast<\/strong>\u201d\n(Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, sin reigns in this world. Paul wrote\nimportant words to the churches in Ephesus.\n\u201c10. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his\nmight. 11. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against\nthe wiles of the devil. 12. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but\nagainst principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of\nthis world, against spiritual wickedness in high places<\/em><\/strong>\u201d (Ephesians 6:10-12). Paul warned that Christians are in a\nbattle \u2013 but it is not \u201cagainst flesh and blood.<\/strong>\u201d Paul told specifically\nwho and what the battle would be fought against: the devil and his demons who\nrule in this world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How can Christian\u2019s possibly stand against the \u201cwiles of\nthe devil<\/strong>\u201d (wiles<\/strong> means \u201cto work by method; connected with evil\ndoing; to deceive, beguile<\/em>\u201d). Because of the previous picture that we read of\nthe righteousness and salvation that Jesus took upon Himself (see Isaiah\n59:16-17), we can understand even better what Paul taught. He gave us this same\nreference (of armament) to understand what is available to Christians as we\nlearn to stand becoming zealous against sin in our day. We are in a battle, and\nwe must be prepared to withstand. \u201cWherefore take unto you the whole armour\nof God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,\nto stand<\/strong>\u201d (Ephesians 6:13). The Christian\u2019s armor:\u201c14. Stand therefore, having your\nloins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;\n15. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16. Above\nall, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the\nfiery darts of the wicked. 17. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword\nof the Spirit, which is the word of God<\/strong>\u201d (Ephesians <\/strong>6:14<\/strong>-17).<\/strong>The final action Paul taught Christians should take as we stand\nagainst the \u201cwiles of the devil<\/strong>\u201d is Prayer<\/em><\/strong>. \u201cPraying always with all\nprayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all\nperseverance and supplication for all saints<\/strong>\u201d (Ephesians 6:18). These are necessary to withstand in\nthese wicked days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you trusted in Jesus\u2019 righteousness, having His salvation?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you taken up the Christian\u2019s Armor, enabling you to withstand in this evil day?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How to be Saved<\/a><\/blockquote>