THE RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED IN THE GOSPEL.
By Mrs. J. M. Barrett
THE law of God is the transcript of his righteousness (Ps. 119: 172); but the true revelation to man of God's righteousness is in the character of his Son (1 Tim. 3: 16) and the gospel of his grace (Rom. 1: 17). Christ came to earth to reveal his Father's character and to restore fallen man to the image of his Creator. From Romans 1 to 8 Paul holds up the law of God as that which clearly defines and points out sin: "For by the law is the knowledge of sin" (Rom. 3: 20), and "sin is the transgression of the law" (1 John 3: 4). But for the law of God we would not know sin. Rom. 7: 7. But the law cannot reveal to fallen man God's righteousness. God's righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and cannot be abolished. Ps. 119: 142; Isa. 51: 6. God must be true, and he judges the world by his law. Rom. 3: 4, 6, 19. "All have sinned and come short of the glory [character, see Ex. 33: 18, 19] of God" (Rom. 3: 23); therefore we must be justified, if at all, without the works of the law. For8this purpose God has sent forth his Son to be the propitiation for our sins and to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past. Rom. 3: 25. God created man upright and with a holy character like his own. Eccl. 7: 29; Gen. 1: 27. To be true and just to himself, God must require of man conformity to the image in which he was created. "For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God [did by] sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Rom. 8: 3, 4. The righteousness which the law requires is perfect, and it must date from birth to death. But, alas! no man can meet its just requirements, nor free us from its claims. By contrast it reveals to us the law of sin in our members (Rom. 7: 23); and sin, now taking advantage of our knowledge, works in us death by that which is good (Rom. 7: 11, 13). A law that is holy and just and good can only condemn us to death. We have no power to break the fetters of sin that enslave us. We can only deplore our wretchedness and cry out, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" But when we realize our helpless condition, then deliverance is at hand. We can thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Help is laid on One that is mighty to save. He fulfilled the law in our behalf; he knew no sin. 2 Cor. 5: 21. We may have his righteousness imputed to us through faith in his blood. But Christ does not leave us there. Oh, wondrous mercy and love of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ our Lord! He does not save us in our sins, but from our sins (Matt. 1: 21), for Christ is not the minister of sin (Gal. 2: 17). When Christ is received into the heart by faith, he eradicates sin, and the righteousness of God is revealed in the life. He not only walks with us, but dwells in us. Eph. 3: 17. He is the "Author and Finisher of our faith." Heb. 12: 2. But we must become dead indeed unto sin and alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom. 6: 11. Our members must be yielded as instruments of righteousness unto God, who will work in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Phil. 2: 13. The old man must die and be buried with Christ in baptism, that the new man may come forth to walk in the newness of life after the image of Him that created him. Col. 3: 10. As Jesus has been received into the heart by faith, so he must be retained in the heart by faith; for "the just shall live by faith." Rom. 1: 17. "And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Gal. 2: 20. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. . . . For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Rom. 8: 1, 2. It is the life, the righteousness, of Christ Jesus that frees us from condemnation. The law which once condemned us now witnesses to Christ's righteousness. So when Christ's life is revealed in us, "we may have boldness in the day of judgment." 1 John 4: 17. It is no longer self that is seen, but Christ walking in perfect obedience to the Father's law; and the freed sinner may now exclaim, "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me." Gal. 2: 20. "Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith." Rom. 3: 27. Dear reader, are you offering to God something contrary to his righteousness? If so, it is the carnal mind. Rom. 8: 7. The righteousness of God, as revealed in Christ, alone will stand the test of the judgment. Christ will not only forgive your past sins, but he is able to keep you until that great day. 2 Tim. 1: 12.