True Righteousness

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Nov 1, 1910

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 37, No. 43.

True Righteousness

TRUE righteousness (there is none other) embraces true and good motives. If the act is to be worthy, the motive, and the heart which prompts the motive, must be pure and right and good. But man's heart by nature is dominated by selfishness and evil; it is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked. Jer. 17: 9. From it proceeds all evil. Mark 7: 21-23. As the fountain is corrupt, the deed must also be corrupt; and therefore in order that man may do righteous acts, the heart must be made righteous. This can be done only by the wondrous grace and mighty power of God, through faith in Christ. To him who complies with His terms, God gives a new heart. He imparts to the believer His own righteousness; He imparts to him the Spirit of righteousness; and this righteousness covers all past sins, and issues through the daily life in present good works.