5.20 Epistles – How has the redemption work of Christ changed the basis of our relationship with God forever?
Today, we talk about how the redemption work of Christ has changed the basis of our relationship with God forever.
In the book of Acts, there was a big dissension as to the means of salvation/righteousness. Was it through Jesus or keeping the Law of Moses? It is still a valid and important question that confronts every believer. The answer will determine the whole direction of our Christian life. The Epistles of Romans and Galatians explain it so beautifully and even reconciles the relationship between the two.
The Bible talks about two kinds of righteousness. The first is the righteousness of man attained by man’s effort in keeping the law under the Old Covenant. The second is the gift of righteousness of God given to man when they put their faith in Jesus. God’s righteousness is given to us on the basis of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross.
Israel was under the first system in the Old Covenant, where they had to earn their righteousness. But because Jesus had borne our sins on the cross, the Christian is now privileged to come under the New Covenant, where righteousness is imputed by faith in Christ; apart from works and apart from the law (Romans 3:21, 4:6).
However, many Christians do not realize that they are under the new system. Most Christians tend to mix the two systems, which usually results in confusion. Many are still busy trying to attain to righteousness not realizing that Christ has made them righteous. It’s like looking for the room that they are already in. This also happened in the book of Acts and in the Galatian church.
During a meeting, I asked a group of believers if they were righteous. Most said “no”. Some said they were “trying to be”. Not a single one said that they were righteous in Christ. Many Christians still do not understand the new basis of their righteousness. This would potentially hinder them from living in the fullness of the New Covenant.
In fact, the whole book of Romans is a skillful discourse between the two kinds of righteousness. The term “justification by faith” is coined in the book of Romans. It sounds like a big theological term but it simply means that a believer is made righteous by faith in Jesus (as Jesus has redeemed us from sin into righteousness).
As a Christian, you are made righteous by faith in Christ. It also means that you receive salvation by faith in Christ. It also means that our relationship with God is on the basis of faith in Christ. Without this revelation of Christ, you could never have the full certainty of your salvation based on your works. Without the gift of righteousness, you could never have the complete boldness to stand in God’s presence on the basis of your own righteousness. When you see Jesus as your source, your faith will be found in Him. The Bible says that the righteous shall live by faith (Rom 1:17).
In the book of Acts, there was a big dissension as to the means of salvation/righteousness. Was it through Jesus or keeping the Law of Moses? It is still a valid and important question that confronts every believer. The answer will determine the whole direction of our Christian life. The Epistles of Romans and Galatians explain it so beautifully and even reconciles the relationship between the two.
The Bible talks about two kinds of righteousness. The first is the righteousness of man attained by man’s effort in keeping the law under the Old Covenant. The second is the gift of righteousness of God given to man when they put their faith in Jesus. God’s righteousness is given to us on the basis of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross.
Israel was under the first system in the Old Covenant, where they had to earn their righteousness. But because Jesus had borne our sins on the cross, the Christian is now privileged to come under the New Covenant, where righteousness is imputed by faith in Christ; apart from works and apart from the law (Romans 3:21, 4:6).
However, many Christians do not realize that they are under the new system. Most Christians tend to mix the two systems, which usually results in confusion. Many are still busy trying to attain to righteousness not realizing that Christ has made them righteous. It’s like looking for the room that they are already in. This also happened in the book of Acts and in the Galatian church.
During a meeting, I asked a group of believers if they were righteous. Most said “no”. Some said they were “trying to be”. Not a single one said that they were righteous in Christ. Many Christians still do not understand the new basis of their righteousness. This would potentially hinder them from living in the fullness of the New Covenant.
In fact, the whole book of Romans is a skillful discourse between the two kinds of righteousness. The term “justification by faith” is coined in the book of Romans. It sounds like a big theological term but it simply means that a believer is made righteous by faith in Jesus (as Jesus has redeemed us from sin into righteousness).
As a Christian, you are made righteous by faith in Christ. It also means that you receive salvation by faith in Christ. It also means that our relationship with God is on the basis of faith in Christ. Without this revelation of Christ, you could never have the full certainty of your salvation based on your works. Without the gift of righteousness, you could never have the complete boldness to stand in God’s presence on the basis of your own righteousness. When you see Jesus as your source, your faith will be found in Him. The Bible says that the righteous shall live by faith (Rom 1:17).
posted by Joshua Lye @ 7:17 PM
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