John reminds us that we are the sons of God, because we have been reborn, receiving a new life and standing in Christ Jesus:
"But 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)
and then
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3: 16)
Now, when Jesus died on that Cross, He died for us and as us.
He took our sin, and gave us His righteousness:
"For 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)
To this day, we keep receiving His gift of righteousness:
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)
Now, John talks about "doing righteousness", and Paul describes righteousness as a gift.
So which is?
There reallly is no contradiction. Righteousness is never about what we do, but what we believe about Jesus.
The first act of "doing righteousness" references Abel's sacrifice of a lamb, recognizing the need for blood to cleanse sin, rather than our actions to put them away:
"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." (1 John 3: 11-12)
What works are mentioned in the Bible? Genesis provides the work that is righteous:
"And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:" (Genesis 4: 4)
Righteousness is all about the shedding of blood, which remits all our sins.
Today, we have that perfect sacrifice, the blood of Jesus, which cleanses us from all sins (1 JOhn 1: 7), and when we believe that, we are righteous, As He Is!
Now, John talks about "doing righteousness", and Paul describes righteousness as a gift.
So which is?
There reallly is no contradiction. Righteousness is never about what we do, but what we believe about Jesus.
The first act of "doing righteousness" references Abel's sacrifice of a lamb, recognizing the need for blood to cleanse sin, rather than our actions to put them away:
"For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous." (1 John 3: 11-12)
What works are mentioned in the Bible? Genesis provides the work that is righteous:
"And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:" (Genesis 4: 4)
Righteousness is all about the shedding of blood, which remits all our sins.
Today, we have that perfect sacrifice, the blood of Jesus, which cleanses us from all sins (1 JOhn 1: 7), and when we believe that, we are righteous, As He Is!
No comments:
Post a Comment