“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith”. – Romans 1:16-17
LIGHT FOR NOW: Outside faith in Christ, a man can not be called righteous, as righteousness is only a nature available in Christ.
Let’s go to the Old Testament books of the bible and see something for ourselves. Genesis 15:6 “And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness”. Abraham believed in the Lord, and this belief in the Lord was counted unto him for righteousness. This verse is the first place where the word righteousness was used in the bible. Hence, we are applying the law of first mention which is a law of bible interpretation on the concept of righteousness; as the law of first mention is very important for it carries with it the flow of the truth on a subject matter. Hence, it is the law of regularity and shows how the word will be used subsequently. A man, therefore, will become righteous by following the steps of Abraham.
By the law of first mention, when the word righteousness was first used was associated with believing. Abraham believed, and that belief he had in the Lord was counted for him for righteousness. So, by the law of first mention, “faith” or “believing” is how righteousness is received. Romans 4:3-8 “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin”. The righteousness by faith is the gift of no condemnation. How that a man’s sin will not be counted against him because Jesus has paid for it. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Know who you are!
CONFESSION: I have received the gift of no condemnation. I can not come into condemnation, I have passed from death to life, in Jesus’ Name, Amen
QUOTE: Righteousness is received by faith in Christ.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: ROMANS CHAPTER 3; EVENING: ROMANS CHAPTER 4
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 