Who Is Righteous?

God's Word to the Self Righteous

There is no shortage of people who feel they are going to be able to walk right up to God when they die and stand before Him-and give a list of their righteousness and good deeds, and this will give them a place in heaven. There's many who have bloated opinions of themselves, and feel the more money they give, and the more they work for charitable causes, that this will add leverage for them when it comes time to give an account of their lives, and God will smile, and give a wave of His hand, and tell an angel to guide them right through the gates of heaven, and they'll be greeted with praise and accolades for their accomplishments, and their great contributions while on earth will earn them a special place in heaven, and they'll enjoy the acclaim of the hosts of heaven, for all they achieved. They have it in their minds that the applause of the world they may have enjoyed, will follow them, and will be multiplied in heaven. These people don't know the scriptures, nor ever ask God what He really thinks-and I can only imagine the surprise and horror, when they stand before a holy God, and are faced with the Truth, and how wrong they are.

People have their ideas, and dreams, but, what does God's word say about this. What does the Bible say about God's thoughts towards human nature, and men of the earth-both Jew and Gentile?
Let's take a look.

Hundred's of years before Christ came, Isaiah spoke of God's thoughts of man's righteousness, and it gives a clear picture of man's condition:
Isa 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. 
Isa 64:7  And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee: for thou hast hid thy face from us, and hast consumed us, because of our iniquities. 

The Apostle Paul expounds on these verses, and opens them up now, because at this point-Christ had accomplished the victory on the Cross, became the Advocate for man's sin, and could now boldly proclaim that victory, and open the way for all that would-to come to Christ, and receive the free gift of salvation. Now, all who would, could now come to Christ and receive this wonderous miracle of grace, and forgiveness. This, is the greatest manifestation of the Love of God, that the devil could not destroy, though he worked feverishly to do so from the first sin of Adam and Eve in the garden. Now, Paul proclaims the defeat of Satan, and the victory of Christ, for all who would receive it.

No One Is Righteous

​Rom 3:9  What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 
Rom 3:10  As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 
Rom 3:11  There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 
Rom 3:12  They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. 
Rom 3:13  Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: 
Rom 3:14  Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: 
Rom 3:15  Their feet are swift to shed blood: 
Rom 3:16  Destruction and misery are in their ways: 
Rom 3:17  And the way of peace have they not known: 
Rom 3:18  There is no fear of God before their eyes. 
Rom 3:19  Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 
Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. 
Cross references-See also: ​Rom_3:23; Job_14:4, Job_15:14, Job_15:16, Job_25:4; Jer_17:9; Mat_15:19; Mar_7:21-22; Mar_10:18; 1Co_6:9-10; Gal_5:19-21; Eph_2:1-3, Eph_5:3-6; Col_3:5-9; 1Ti_1:9-10; 2Ti_3:2-5; Tit_3:3; 1Jn_1:8-10; Rev_21:8, Rev_22:15

Now, these passages blow away every delusion, and man's pride and pomp, and leaves him standing before God with no hope, no way to pay for his sin, no way to barter with God, no excuse. So, what is the answer to this hopeless situation?  Read on, God's answer is clear, profound, and simple​; for those who will receive it.

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

​Rom 3:21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 
Rom 3:22  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: 
Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 
Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 
Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 
Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 
Rom 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 
Rom 3:28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. 
Rom 3:29  Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 
Rom 3:30  Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 
Rom 3:31  Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. 

​Cross references for your study- which is: Rom_4:3-13, Rom_4:20-22, Rom_5:1-11, Rom_8:1; Php_3:9
unto all: Rom_4:6, Rom_4:11, Rom_4:22; Gal_2:16, Gal_3:6; Jas_2:23
and upon: Isa_61:10; Mat_22:11-12; Luk_15:22; Gal_3:7-9
for there: Rom_2:1, Rom_10:12; Act_15:9; 1Co_4:7; Gal_3:28; Col_3:11

There's been times when people have said to me that they do not respect me, I've never asked for people's respect, nor do I expect it from those of this world. What I have desired, and received from God, is His mercy, compassion, forgiveness, and adoption into the Body of Christ. There's nothing greater, or more important than that. I know who I am in Christ, and no one can do anything about that. The love of Christ, outweighs everything else. The opinions of those of this world, mean nothing when you know the love of Jesus, and walk in His presence. Nothing can replace the knowledge that I am a member of His Kingdom, that there is a place prepared for me in heaven, and when I get there, it will be my eternal home. No one can match that. The peace He gives within, and the solid, stable presence of the Holy Spirit gives me the strength and joy to get up each day, and do the best I can, knowing I'm doing my daily tasks in His will. He is my Father, Christ is my Redeemer, and my Savior, I have more than anyone could wish for, or want. Whatever He's allowed me to have, I receive with gratitude and am thankful for His constant provision-He's never failed me. I've never lacked anything I've needed, and have abundance, and able to give to other's, I'm His child and know the blessings that comes with that place in Him.

How can you know this position in Christ? How can you have the solid assurance of knowing your sins are forgiven, and you are covered by the precious blood of Christ, and have become His child? The pathway is described below. Read the information, humble yourself, pray a simple prayer to the Lord, repent of your sins, and ask the Lord Jesus to come into your heart and life, in faith. He answered my prayer in 1978-he will answer yours as well. If you have done this-welcome to the family of God. Now you are His child, and through adoption, He is your Father. 

Get a King James Bible, and start a routine of prayer and study of His word, and develop your relationship with Him. He loves you, and wants you to know Him, and learn His ways. You can only get to know Him, by studying His word, and as you pray, you'll find His presence will ever increase in your life. You'll begin to know His will, and He will guide you. His word is the lamp for our feet, and the light to our path.

May the God of Peace, be with you, and lead you to Himself, and reveal to you the depths of His love for you. This world holds nothing in comparison to Him, and the more you seek Him, the more you will come to know the truth of this.
Lorna Couillard