But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
God's righteousness is now openly revealed apart from keeping the law, yet with the law and the prophets bearing witness to it. This comes where no one can be made right by deeds of the law, because the law only gives the knowledge of sin. That revealed righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe, with no difference between them. It is justification by faith, Christ's own righteousness credited to the sinner to cleanse from sin, never earned by working to the best of ability but received by laying hold wholly and entirely on the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour as Advocate and Intercessor. This crediting of righteousness does not do away with the law or lessen its dignity, but establishes it and glorifies it in the light reflected from Calvary, making obedience to God's commandments possible through man's Substitute and Surety.
Righteousness Revealed Without Law
But now a righteousness from God apart from law-keeping is made known and revealed, testified to and confirmed and witnessed by the law and the prophets. This manifestation is the imputing of the righteousness of Christ which comes through justifying faith, the justification earnestly contended for. This righteousness by faith in Christ is a truth the churches need to be taught, connected with Christ and faith, and ignoring it leads people to rely on human rules and harsh authority instead. Its setting is that by deeds of the law no flesh is justified in God's sight or made right with God, because by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The righteousness thus manifested is the righteousness of God through faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe, with no difference between any. These are words spoken by Jesus Himself. This righteousness of Christ, revealed through Christ, is the central point of the message, seen in the law, bringing light and clarity to what had been clouded by darkness.
The Father's law holds something deeper than mere authoritative commands, for the moral law contains the gospel in principle. No one can be saved through the law but only through repentance for sin and faith toward Christ as Advocate with the Father, a need requiring the touch of divine enlightenment and acknowledgment of Jesus as the Son of God. Deeds of righteousness from love and true goodness of heart are more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices, yet all religious service is of no value whatever unless connected with living faith in Christ Jesus, who is the substance of which that service was the shadow.
The righteousness without the law is manifested in Christ as the only source of strength, in His matchless love in having the guilt of men's sins charged to His account and His own righteousness imputed to man. This imputing in no case does away with the law or detracts from its dignity, but places the law where the correct light shines upon it and glorifies it, through the light reflected from the cross of Calvary. The law is complete and full in the great plan of salvation only as it is presented in the light shining from the crucified and risen Saviour, which can only be spiritually discerned. Seen in that light it kindles in the heart ardent faith, hope, and joy that Christ is his righteousness, a joy that belongs only to those who love and keep the words of Jesus, which are the words of God.
Received by Faith in Christ
The righteousness manifested apart from law is justification by faith, the imputed righteousness of Christ for which earnest contention is made. It is seen in matchless love, with the guilt of human sin charged to His account and His own righteousness imputed to man. That righteousness is by faith of Jesus Christ, received through justifying faith as light now manifested. It means Christ crucified for sins, Christ risen from the dead, and Christ ascended into heaven as Advocate and Intercessor before God. Closely connected with it is the office work of the Holy Spirit as Christ's representative, sent forth with divine power and gifts for men.
It is the righteousness of Christ alone that cleanses the sinner from sins and transgressions. It is never received by conditions and never by working to the best of ability, for man has none of his own and cannot make a single virtue in himself. It is laid hold of wholly and entirely by living faith upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour, with intelligent knowledge of that utter lack. God calls and draws the sinner without condition by Christ's invitation. It is seen when the sinner comes and views Christ elevated upon the cross of Calvary, convicted that the law has been transgressed, that he is a sinner, and that Christ died because the law was transgressed.
Being clothed with Christ's righteousness by living faith imparts power and strength so that the sinner works the works of righteousness. With Christ working with him and by him he does not want to sin. Though he may still make mistakes and errors, he hates the sins that caused the suffering of the Son of God because they are transgressions of the law of God. This imputing of righteousness in no case does away with the law or detracts from its dignity, but places the law where the correct light shines upon it and glorifies it through light reflected from Calvary. Faith establishes the law, and through the imputed righteousness of Christ as man's substitute and surety, obedience to God's commandments is made acceptable and possible. Christ endured the penalty of sin on the cross and fulfilled all righteousness, and by His shed blood brings remission of sin as the only ground of hope for a title to eternal life, a redemption that does not save men in their sins.
Human and personal righteousness cannot recommend anyone to God nor bring adoption into His family, and true religion depends entirely on Christ's righteousness and not on works of merit. The law exposes sin and condemns transgressors but provides no way of escape from its condemnation. People cannot earn pardon or meet its perfect claims by their own strength or righteousness, but are accepted through faith in Christ, receiving pardon and strength to obey. That pardon comes through Jesus, who died a shameful death because of human sins, that pardon may be received through His sufferings and death. It cannot be received until a person feels to be a sinner and realizes the sinfulness of sin.
It requires sincere repentance toward God, feeling that without Christ's pardoning blood there is only perishing, casting oneself in wretchedness wholly upon Christ's mercy, yielding up one's own will and way, and pleading for Jesus to control the will and actions, and in that position pardon and forgiveness can be received and appreciated. No one can be saved through the law but only through repentance for sin and faith toward Christ as Advocate with the Father, needing the touch of divine enlightenment and acknowledgment of Jesus as the Son of God. Guilt cannot be lessened nor punishment escaped by penance, and diligent efforts to overcome sin and secure favor cannot free from condemnation nor break its power, so the question of how a person can be right before God requires an answer beyond those efforts. All religious service is worthless unless connected with living faith in Christ, though deeds of righteousness from love and true goodness of heart are more acceptable than burnt offerings and sacrifices. Christ's grace is a free gift, and looking in faith to the crucified Redeemer brings peace and joy.
Yielding the will to the Holy Spirit's guidance and opening the heart to welcome the lowly Jesus brings relief of mind and blessed assurance through this righteousness by faith. Ignoring this righteousness witnessed by the law and the prophets leads to reliance on human rules and harsh authority. It is a truth the churches need to be taught. The proclamation of Christ's righteousness and entire sacrifice is the message for this time to be carried as a God-given burden. Received and acted upon, it is taught as Christ crucified and the risen Saviour in the wisdom and power of God for the conversion of souls, bringing them back to loyalty to Christ.
God's righteousness is now openly revealed apart from keeping the law, yet with the law and the prophets bearing witness to it. This comes where no one can be made right by deeds of the law, because the law only gives the knowledge of sin. That revealed righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all and upon all who believe, with no difference between them. It is justification by faith, Christ's own righteousness credited to the sinner to cleanse from sin, never earned by working to the best of ability but received by laying hold wholly and entirely on the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour as Advocate and Intercessor. This crediting of righteousness does not do away with the law or lessen its dignity, but establishes it and glorifies it in the light reflected from Calvary, making obedience to God's commandments possible through man's Substitute and Surety.
Righteousness Revealed Without Law
But now a righteousness from God apart from law-keeping is made known and revealed, testified to and confirmed and witnessed by the law and the prophets. This manifestation is the imputing of the righteousness of Christ which comes through justifying faith, the justification earnestly contended for. This righteousness by faith in Christ is a truth the churches need to be taught, connected with Christ and faith, and ignoring it leads people to rely on human rules and harsh authority instead. Its setting is that by deeds of the law no flesh is justified in God's sight or made right with God, because by the law is the knowledge of sin.
The righteousness thus manifested is the righteousness of God through faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe, with no difference between any. These are words spoken by Jesus Himself. This righteousness of Christ, revealed through Christ, is the central point of the message, seen in the law, bringing light and clarity to what had been clouded by darkness.
The Father's law holds something deeper than mere authoritative commands, for the moral law contains the gospel in principle. No one can be saved through the law but only through repentance for sin and faith toward Christ as Advocate with the Father, a need requiring the touch of divine enlightenment and acknowledgment of Jesus as the Son of God. Deeds of righteousness from love and true goodness of heart are more acceptable to God than burnt offerings and sacrifices, yet all religious service is of no value whatever unless connected with living faith in Christ Jesus, who is the substance of which that service was the shadow.
The righteousness without the law is manifested in Christ as the only source of strength, in His matchless love in having the guilt of men's sins charged to His account and His own righteousness imputed to man. This imputing in no case does away with the law or detracts from its dignity, but places the law where the correct light shines upon it and glorifies it, through the light reflected from the cross of Calvary. The law is complete and full in the great plan of salvation only as it is presented in the light shining from the crucified and risen Saviour, which can only be spiritually discerned. Seen in that light it kindles in the heart ardent faith, hope, and joy that Christ is his righteousness, a joy that belongs only to those who love and keep the words of Jesus, which are the words of God.
Received by Faith in Christ
The righteousness manifested apart from law is justification by faith, the imputed righteousness of Christ for which earnest contention is made. It is seen in matchless love, with the guilt of human sin charged to His account and His own righteousness imputed to man. That righteousness is by faith of Jesus Christ, received through justifying faith as light now manifested. It means Christ crucified for sins, Christ risen from the dead, and Christ ascended into heaven as Advocate and Intercessor before God. Closely connected with it is the office work of the Holy Spirit as Christ's representative, sent forth with divine power and gifts for men.
It is the righteousness of Christ alone that cleanses the sinner from sins and transgressions. It is never received by conditions and never by working to the best of ability, for man has none of his own and cannot make a single virtue in himself. It is laid hold of wholly and entirely by living faith upon the merits of the blood of a crucified and risen Saviour, with intelligent knowledge of that utter lack. God calls and draws the sinner without condition by Christ's invitation. It is seen when the sinner comes and views Christ elevated upon the cross of Calvary, convicted that the law has been transgressed, that he is a sinner, and that Christ died because the law was transgressed.
Being clothed with Christ's righteousness by living faith imparts power and strength so that the sinner works the works of righteousness. With Christ working with him and by him he does not want to sin. Though he may still make mistakes and errors, he hates the sins that caused the suffering of the Son of God because they are transgressions of the law of God. This imputing of righteousness in no case does away with the law or detracts from its dignity, but places the law where the correct light shines upon it and glorifies it through light reflected from Calvary. Faith establishes the law, and through the imputed righteousness of Christ as man's substitute and surety, obedience to God's commandments is made acceptable and possible. Christ endured the penalty of sin on the cross and fulfilled all righteousness, and by His shed blood brings remission of sin as the only ground of hope for a title to eternal life, a redemption that does not save men in their sins.
Human and personal righteousness cannot recommend anyone to God nor bring adoption into His family, and true religion depends entirely on Christ's righteousness and not on works of merit. The law exposes sin and condemns transgressors but provides no way of escape from its condemnation. People cannot earn pardon or meet its perfect claims by their own strength or righteousness, but are accepted through faith in Christ, receiving pardon and strength to obey. That pardon comes through Jesus, who died a shameful death because of human sins, that pardon may be received through His sufferings and death. It cannot be received until a person feels to be a sinner and realizes the sinfulness of sin.
It requires sincere repentance toward God, feeling that without Christ's pardoning blood there is only perishing, casting oneself in wretchedness wholly upon Christ's mercy, yielding up one's own will and way, and pleading for Jesus to control the will and actions, and in that position pardon and forgiveness can be received and appreciated. No one can be saved through the law but only through repentance for sin and faith toward Christ as Advocate with the Father, needing the touch of divine enlightenment and acknowledgment of Jesus as the Son of God. Guilt cannot be lessened nor punishment escaped by penance, and diligent efforts to overcome sin and secure favor cannot free from condemnation nor break its power, so the question of how a person can be right before God requires an answer beyond those efforts. All religious service is worthless unless connected with living faith in Christ, though deeds of righteousness from love and true goodness of heart are more acceptable than burnt offerings and sacrifices. Christ's grace is a free gift, and looking in faith to the crucified Redeemer brings peace and joy.
Yielding the will to the Holy Spirit's guidance and opening the heart to welcome the lowly Jesus brings relief of mind and blessed assurance through this righteousness by faith. Ignoring this righteousness witnessed by the law and the prophets leads to reliance on human rules and harsh authority. It is a truth the churches need to be taught. The proclamation of Christ's righteousness and entire sacrifice is the message for this time to be carried as a God-given burden. Received and acted upon, it is taught as Christ crucified and the risen Saviour in the wisdom and power of God for the conversion of souls, bringing them back to loyalty to Christ.