Present Truth - Righteousness - Eternal Life

From: The Christian Shepherd: 1997

• 2 min. read • grade level: 7

I am in Christ above, and Christ is in me below. Here I find the power for my life.

Righteousness

The righteousness of God is the display of the nature of God in all His acts. We, believers, are made the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21²¹For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)). He, Christ, is our righteousness before God (1 Cor. 1:30³⁰But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)). It is not the merits of Christ put to our account, nor is it Christ keeping the law for us.

The righteous judgment of sin (the root) and sins (the fruit) were both seen at the cross. The blood of Christ put our sins away (1 John 1:7⁷But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). The death of Christ ended our Adam history before God (2 Cor. 5:17¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)). Now Christ is our life (Col. 3:4⁴When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)) and we are “in Christ” before God (Rom. 8:1¹There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1)).

It is a blessed fact that Christ is the believer’s righteousness before God, so that he rejects all other righteousness as worthless. Read carefully what Paul says in Philippians 3:7-9⁷But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. ⁸Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, ⁹And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (Philippians 3:7‑9). The Lord give us each to enjoy it more and praise His grace together! “He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21²¹For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)).

Eternal Life

Eternal life is not just never-dying life. Angels live forever, yet they have not what Scripture speaks of as “eternal life.” The lost live forever under the judgment of God, yet they have not eternal life (1 John 5:12¹²He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:12)). It is a blessed truth that eternal life is Christ our life (1 John 1:12¹²But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)). Eternal life is the gift of God to everyone that believes the gospel (Rom. 6:23²³For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)).

Possessing Christ as our life, we have now the nature of God with the affections and moral character of that nature. This new life cannot sin (1 John 3:9⁹Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)). The Gospel of John gives “eternal life” manifested in the Son of God. In the Epistle of John it is that same life manifested in those who are “born of God.” Possessing eternal life, we are thus able to enter into the very thoughts of God Himself. The blessed result is community of thought in “oneness of life.”

The Holy Spirit dwelling in us as believers gives the power for our walk, while the Word of God enables us to judge that which would hinder communion. May we walk carefully prayerfully so to enjoy the blessedness of it. “He that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 5:12¹²He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:12)). “When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4⁴When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)).

H. E. Hayhoe

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