Submission to the Righteousness of God Generally speaking, many church people today appear completely ignorant of God’s decrees on righteousness, but want to establish their own righteousness, regardless of what God has commanded. Here I am talking about those who profess some kind of faith in God, but transgress His laws and ignore His ordinances. ■ Romans 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. ■ Psalms 50:16 But to the wicked God says: what right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth. God keeps covenant only with those who obey Him. ■ Deuteronomy 7:9 Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. We have a sure foundation on which to build our understanding – the Word of God, so why is it that those who profess Christ are adamantly reluctant and unyielding when it comes to ‘departing from iniquity’? ■ 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: the Lord knows those who are His, and, let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity . It is a fact, in some church denominations, God’s commandments do not fit in with their lifestyle; they believe that God, and the church in general, ought to be like the world which accommodates this ‘modern generation’ with all its perversions and therefore believe that God will do likewise and smile upon their own unbiblical update to His unchanging word – not so! He can never overlook their sins and transgressions nor accept their evil practises – except they turn from wickedness and repent of their abominable practises. Undercurrents of homosexuality are flowing within the churches with increasing volume as though it is normal behaviour, and although same sex marriage has been sanctioned in the UK through an act of parliament, and in many other countries as well, this does not make it acceptable to God. This is futile thinking indeed, for God does not change – Malachi 3:6 – and Jesus said, ■ Matthew 5:18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. As an example of God’s unchanging word; in Israel a two thousand year old badly burned scroll, unread since it was found because of its poor condition, was able to be deciphered using a scanning technique such as is used to scan the various layers of the body. The scroll was the complete book of Leviticus and is exactly word for word as the version that we read today! True indeed that…. ■ Psalms 119:89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. Furthermore, ■ Psalms 12:6-7 The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. You shall keep them, O LORD, You shall preserve them from this generation forever. We have already received the revealed word of God in relation to all that pertains to life, health and godliness and Pauls tells us that all of it has a valid use, and is God given, however… ■ 2 Timothy 3:13-17 evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from Page 1 of 7 childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Note well; that ALL scripture is profitable for instruction in righteousness! And should you be tempted to omit any part of God’s word as irrelevant or even add something to it – beware! ■ Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. The Word of God has no optional parts; when we open our heart to God we must also embrace all of God’s commandments as we believe unto righteousness. The word says, ■ Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Righteousness is a feature expected of the saints, whilst unrighteousness belongs to the ungodly. ■ Matthew 5:19-20 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. We should not be conformed to the world in any way, shape or form, but submit to God and be transformed by renewing of our mind by reading and absorbing God’s word, which works in us a progressive sanctification. ■ Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Today, the glorious Gospel is disdained and scoffed at as ‘old fashioned’, but we believers like the Apostle Paul say, ■ Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. The Gospel not only reveals God’s righteousness but also God’s wrath against those who suppress the truth to further their own ends. ■ Romans 1:17-25 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith . For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their Page 2 of 7 thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man–and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. ■ Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. In order for anyone to attain unto God’s righteousness they must be saved; by saved I mean ‘born again spiritually from above’ by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. ■ Titus 3:4-6 But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done , but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. After we are saved we should live for Christ and not continue pursuing our own selfish desires. ■ Romans 6:13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. ■ Romans 6:19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. ■ Revelation 21:8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. Some established churches, of which Anglicanism, Unitarianism and Roman Catholicism are prime examples, are run solely by the doctrines and commandments of men, making God and the Holy Spirit superfluous to requirements.