The Lord Our Righteousness by T. E. BOWEN

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jan 2, 1908

The Lord Our Righteousness

By T. E. BOWEN

T. E. BOWEN

Righteousness is absolute perfection of life. It can not be fully described by human tongue or pen. Primarily it belongs to God. He is righteous. He also has made it possible for the creatures created by his infinite power to enter into and enjoy righteousness with him. But this can be received only as a gift, for righteousness, like life itself, belongs to God. Even though it be possible for intelligent beings to come into the possession of righteousness, still it must ever be confessed that the glory all belongs to God. Righteousness did not originate with men; therefore, having received it from another, there remains no room for boasting. Thus Daniel, offering his supplications unto God, exclaimed: “O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day.” Ezra also prayed, and said: “O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens. Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day. . . . O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous: . . . behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we can not stand before thee because of this.”

Innocence, holiness of heart, and righteousness go together. By angels and those who never fell into sin, so long as perfect trust and faith are maintained in God, innocence and holiness and righteousness are enjoyed. All this our first parents shared until they yielded to the tempter. We can not fully realize what bliss it was to enjoy the perfect confidence and presence of the great God. We are told that even the tempter himself shuddered at the thought of his causing Adam and Eve to lose it.

“Satan went alone to mature plans that would most surely secure the fall of Adam and Eve. He had fears that his purposes might be defeated. And again, even if he should be successful in leading Adam and Eve to disobey the commandment of God, and thus become transgressors of his law, and no good come to himself, his own case would not be improved; his guilt would only be increased. He shuddered at the thought of plunging the holy, happy pair into the misery and remorse he was himself enduring. He seemed in a state of indecision; at one time firm and determined, then hesitating and wavering. His angels were seeking him, their leader, to acquaint him with their decision. They will unite with Satan in his plans, and with him bear the responsibility, and share the consequences. Satan cast off his feelings of despair and weakness, and as their leader, fortified himself to brave out the matter, and do all in his power to defy the authority of God and his Son.”—“Great Controversy” (old edition), Vol. I, pages 31, 32.

This wicked prince once knew the blessedness of innocence and righteousness—harmony with God. This state of righteousness and obedience was exchanged for rebellion and disobedience. Man was beguiled into sin by Satan. Having once lost his happy state of harmony with God,—trust, love, and obedience,—he was forever powerless of himself to regain it. This must be wrought out for him by a power outside of and greater than himself; yea, even more mighty than the foe by whom he had been overcome. None in all the universe could accomplish this save Jesus, the only begotten Son of God.

The law of God describes his righteousness. It reveals the relationship of Creator to created, as well as that existing between created beings themselves. It is the great rule by which character is measured. It defines righteousness. It is the quick detector of unrighteousness—sin. It is not to be wondered at that as soon as Lucifer rebelled, he sought to destroy the law. That revealed the hideousness of his acts. It was and is as true in heaven as upon earth that “by the law is the knowledge of sin.” The law defines righteousness. And so long as righteousness endures,

so long will exist the standard by which it is to be known. How utterly foolish, then, to contend that the law has been abolished. One might as well set out to prove that there is no throne of God, no heaven on high, no place where innocence and happiness exist, as to deny the existence of the law.

Christ’s righteous life is necessary. Without that no sinful flesh could be saved. Heaven stooped to rescue man, but it cost its very life—him in whom every heart-chord centered. Jesus became one with us. He was born into the human family, partook of sinful flesh, was made subject to every temptation to which we are heirs. He was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” He lived a righteous life. He kept his Father’s commandments. What the law could not do, because of the weakness of our sinful flesh, Jesus made it do in his flesh. What the law was powerless to do through us, it was made powerful to do in Christ. Thus the Son of God wrought out righteousness in human flesh for us. He first demonstrated that the law could be kept in human flesh. Then he confronted the enemy with the powerful argument that what his Father’s grace wrought out in his life in human flesh, might be wrought out in the lives of his followers, through the grace he would impart to them. This the devil denies; but before the controversy ends, Christ will demonstrate before all the universe that his Father’s law can be kept by men and women, with himself enthroned within their hearts through love and faith. It is written of him that he will not be satisfied until he has a church to present to his Father absolutely without spot or wrinkle or any such thing—a state of perfect righteousness in him.

We are thus brought to the most wonderful problem that ever can engage the attention of the human mind; namely, how it is possible that this perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ can be made actually and truly to belong to the sinner. How is it that sinful flesh—actual sinners like you and me—can be made in God’s sight as righteous as Jesus himself?

That we are all sinners, needs no effort to prove. All have sinned from Adam down. But the point of special interest is, How are we to become righteous? God gives us the key in two texts. Let us place them side by side: “Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Cor. 5: 21, A. R. V. “For if, by the trespass of the one [Adam], death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ. . . . For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous.” Rom. 5: 17, 19.

These are most precious scriptures. They reveal a simple transaction, planned by God, which brings life and righteousness to the sinner, condemns sin in the flesh, and exalts and magnifies his holy law, and Jesus Christ, his Son, who wrought out righteousness for us.

Takoma Park, D. C.

(To be concluded)