You must practice righteousness to actually remain righteous!

[ZacharyB]

.
The meaning of righteousness … “And they (Zach and Liz) were both righteous before God,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:6)
No one is perfect, so IMO this would include sincere repenting of the occasional sin!

“For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Gal 5:5)
“Hope” here is Strong’s #1680, “favorable and confident expectation”,
i.e. the expectation of the truly faithful … Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words:
“the hope of righteousness; i.e. the believer’s complete conformity to God’s will”

• “… whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35)

• “… you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether (slaves) of sin leading to death,
or (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness” (Romans 6:16)

“If you love Me, keep My commandments … He who has My commandments and
keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father,
and I will love him … If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will
love him … He who does not love Me does not keep My words” (John 14:15-24)
Thus the question must arise …
Does anyone go to heaven who does not love Jesus and obey His commandments?

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3)
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
And I give them eternal life” (John 10:27-28)

• “… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness” (Romans 6:19)

• “... holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14)

• “But you, O man of God, flee these things (sins) and pursue righteousness” (1 Tim 6:11)

• “All Scripture… is profitable for … instruction in (practicing) righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16)

• “… we, having died to sins, might live for (the practicing of) righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24)

• “… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)

• “… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7)

• “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest:
whoever does NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God” (1 John 3:10)

Notice above that “the children of God” practice righteousness!
And “the children of the devil” do NOT practice righteousness!
In the church … would these be the tares, the foolish virgins, those with bad fruit, etc. etc.?

• “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)
Notice those who do evil (sin) are contrasted with those who are righteous.
• “… those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who
have done evil (practiced sin), to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:29)

• “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,
than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit’,
and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’ ” (2 Peter 2:21-22)

True believers who are faithful will be obedient and practice righteousness,
and therefore will be seen by God as continuing to be righteous!
Those who habitually practice sin will NOT be allowed into the kingdom of God/heaven
(1 Corinthians 6:9, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:5)

The Holy Spirit’s “ministry of righteousness” transforms believers into living in holiness!
• “... holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14)
The Scriptures above clearly show that this requires the co-operation of believers!

• “… how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious (than the OT ministry of death)?
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much
more in glory … But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:8-9,18)

• “… beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

• “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.
I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34)

 

[Grace777x70]

Doing righteous deeds by themselves does not make one righteous. This is having the cart before the horse. Doing righteous deeds does not "keep" us in righteousness. It is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

Doing righteous deeds because Christ has made us righteous is what 1 John chapter 3 is talking about. This shows the difference between the devil and those that belong to Christ. John was describing a believer and an unbeliever.

I know there have been "good" people doing "righteous deeds " but they were not belonging to God. Many religions have moral living people in them - all doing "righteous deeds".

Here is how righteousness is manifested in a believer....we need to be righteousness conscious...not sin-conscious...we have a new creation in Christ now!

This "righteousness " will manifest outwardly in doing righteous deeds - but we need the "horse" in front first.

The "horse" being Christ's righteousness in us because of our being in Christ in our inner man..our new creation in Christ.

Awake to who you are in Christ!..Awake to righteousness and sin not..when you see who you are in Him in your new man...you will then manifest outwardly who you already are now in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NASB)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

[SUP]18 [/SUP] But we all, with unveiled face,beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.


Hebrews 5:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13[/SUP] For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant.

Romans 5:17 (NASB)
[SUP]17 [/SUP] For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 54:14 (NASB)
[SUP]14 [/SUP] "In righteousness you will be established; You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear; And from terror, for it will not come near you.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)
[SUP]21[/SUP] He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

When you see who you are in Christ because of His finished work...you become outwardly in behavior what you are truly like in your new inner man where Christ dwells and His life gets manifested in love towards others in this hurt and dying world.

 

[ZacharyB]

Doing righteous deeds by themselves does not make one righteous.

Never said it did.
Foist, thou must be born-again from above!
Iz that okay with you?

 

[ZacharyB]

.
God always (except for Jesus' creation and sustaining) works in co-operation with man!

So, re: man's salvation ... He makes us born again from above,
and IF we co-operate, we receive eternal life at the end of the salvation process.

 

[stonesoffire]

To work righteousness...guard your heart. All issues of life come from the heart.

 

[ZacharyB]

To work righteousness...guard your heart. All issues of life come from the heart.

Yes, it really is all about having the correct heart attitude!
If you do have this, you will love Jesus and keep (obey) His commands.
If you do have this, you will practice righteousness.
And on and on ...

How do like this verse? ...

• “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest:
whoever does NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God” (1 John 3:10)

 

[ZacharyB]

Heads up ... a lot of the heavy-duty warnings are at the end of The Book:

Hebrews, Peter, 1 John, Jude, Revelation.

One of my favorites is ... Revelation 21:7-8,
where the warning applies to everyone!

 

[Grace777x70]

We have eternal life now because we are in Christ.

1 John 5:13 (NASB)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

you may know = perfect tense = the perfect tense in Greek is used to describe a completed action in the past which produced results which are still in effect all the way up to the present time. The results of the completed action of the past is continuously happening in the present.

In other words - we know from the time we were born-again that we have eternal life. "He that has the Son has Life."

that you have eternal life. = present tense - this is a continuous truth in the present and the present is always the present - we are safe in Christ and we have eternal life because we are joined as one spirit with the Lord. - sealed by the Holy Spirit.

There is going to be a fullness of walking in this eternal life when we go to be with the Lord but now in this life - the new creation in Christ is safe and we can trust in what He has done for us for life and living while on this earth.

Let's preach and teach the gospel ( good news ) of the grace of Christ so that we can grow up in Him.

 

[blue_ladybug]

We are NOT saved by being born again. We are saved by grace through faith. God does NOT say, "IF you do this, I will do that for you." We don't lose our salvation if we don't do good deeds. JMO

John 3:16, in part: "For whosoever shall believeth on Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life."

We need only believe that Jesus is who he says he is. And confess that he is our Lord and Savior.

 

[ZacharyB]

Let's preach and teach the grace of Christ so that we can grow up in Him.

Sure, it's all about God's grace (unmerited favor).
Without it, we're lost with absolutely no hope.

We love and appreciate His grace so much
that we choose to co-operate with Him!

This is the response of God's real elect,
chosen before the foundation of the world.

Jesus said ...
Both wheat and tares are in the Kingdom of God (heaven).
But, at the end of this age, the tares are sent off to be burned.

Art thou a wheat or a tare?

 

[stonesoffire]

Yes, it really is all about having the correct heart attitude!
If you do have this, you will love Jesus and keep (obey) His commands.
If you do have this, you will practice righteousness.
And on and on ...

How do like this verse? ...

• “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest:
whoever does NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God” (1 John 3:10)

This verse shows the distinction between the children of God and the children of satan. God gives time for His child to grow.

Babies tend to stumble before walking. Children tend to get into mischief which is the purpose of laws. Controlling behavior. But, the Sons are One with God.

 

[BeyondET]

.
The meaning of righteousness … “And they (Zach and Liz) were both righteous before God,
walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:6)
No one is perfect, so IMO this would include sincere repenting of the occasional sin!

“For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.” (Gal 5:5)
“Hope” here is Strong’s #1680, “favorable and confident expectation”,
i.e. the expectation of the truly faithful … Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words:
“the hope of righteousness; i.e. the believer’s complete conformity to God’s will”

• “… whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35)

• “… you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether (slaves) of sin leading to death,
or (slaves) of obedience leading to righteousness” (Romans 6:16)

“If you love Me, keep My commandments … He who has My commandments and
keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father,
and I will love him … If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will
love him … He who does not love Me does not keep My words” (John 14:15-24)
Thus the question must arise …
Does anyone go to heaven who does not love Jesus and obey His commandments?

“Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments” (1 John 2:3)
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You,
the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
And I give them eternal life” (John 10:27-28)

• “… so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness” (Romans 6:19)

• “... holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14)

• “But you, O man of God, flee these things (sins) and pursue righteousness” (1 Tim 6:11)

• “All Scripture… is profitable for … instruction in (practicing) righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16)

• “… we, having died to sins, might live for (the practicing of) righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24)

• “… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)

• “… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous” (1 John 3:7)

• “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest:
whoever does NOT practice righteousness is NOT of God” (1 John 3:10)

Notice above that “the children of God” practice righteousness!
And “the children of the devil” do NOT practice righteousness!
In the church … would these be the tares, the foolish virgins, those with bad fruit, etc. etc.?

• “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers;
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)
Notice those who do evil (sin) are contrasted with those who are righteous.
• “… those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who
have done evil (practiced sin), to the resurrection of condemnation.” (John 5:29)

• “For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness,
than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.
But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit’,
and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.’ ” (2 Peter 2:21-22)

True believers who are faithful will be obedient and practice righteousness,
and therefore will be seen by God as continuing to be righteous!
Those who habitually practice sin will NOT be allowed into the kingdom of God/heaven
(1 Corinthians 6:9, Galatians 5:21, Ephesians 5:5)

The Holy Spirit’s “ministry of righteousness” transforms believers into living in holiness!
• “... holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14)
The Scriptures above clearly show that this requires the co-operation of believers!

• “… how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious (than the OT ministry of death)?
For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much
more in glory … But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:8-9,18)

• “… beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)

• “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God.
I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:34)

Hey thanks for posting all these verses speaking of the second verse you posted I kind of like the whole chapter of Galatians 5 sums up the walking with Christ In My Opinion...


1It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. 2Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. 3And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law. 4You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. 6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. 7You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. 9A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough. 10I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view; but the one who is disturbing you will bear his judgment, whoever he is. 11But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished. 12I wish that those who are troubling you would even mutilate themselves. 13For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” 15But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. 16But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

 

[stonesoffire]

Sure, it's all about God's grace (unmerited favor).
Without it, we're lost with absolutely no hope.

We love and appreciate His grace so much
that we choose to co-operate with Him!

This is the response of God's real elect,
chosen before the foundation of the world.

Jesus said ...
Both wheat and tares are in the Kingdom of God (heaven).
But, at the end of this age, the tares are sent off to be burned.

Art thou a wheat or a tare?

Grace and mercy have kissed!

 

[Grace777x70]

So, the truth is that doing righteous things does not make one righteous. There are "deeds/fruits of righteousness" but that is a result of having the fruit of His righteousness already in us and us walking those out.

Jesus is our righteousness - not what we do or don't do. It is called " receiving the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness" and all this is through Christ's work alone.

Get this wrong and we have no foundation and we end up with a works-based doctrine trying to build on a faulty foundation that doesn't exist and thus we end up thinking that we must practice righteousness in order to remain righteous.


This is still having the "cart before the horse". We don't start with the horse in front of the cart ( as we have received Christ - Col. 2:6 ) and then end up the rest of our lives trying to make the cart before the horse for the rest of our walk with Christ ( As you have received Christ - so walk in Him - Col. 2:6 )

The transforming of our minds is paramount in growing up in the grace and knowledge of Him. This transformation is done by the Holy Spirit and we participate in it with Him by grace through faith alone.

We don't "lose righteousness" because it was not ours to begin with - it is the righteousness of God because we are in Christ that we have now in our new creation in Christ - created in righteousness and holiness. Eph. 4:24

All works-based doctrines that really nullify the grace of God from operating in our lives are all fuelled by this same wrong foundation which is not based on Christ's finished work for the believer. He is our salvation! The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is our salvation and our life.

 

[stonesoffire]

Out of the mouth, the heart speaks. We reveal ourselves...where we are in the Kingdom...through our words.

 

[blue_ladybug]

What I highlighted in red, is not always true. There are many Christians who love God, but have given up on Him because they feel He isn't there or doesn't hear them. Or they feel too worthless to be deserving of His love and grace. But even if, in their despair, they reach out to Him again, He will shine His love and grace upon them. His love and grace never fall away from our lives, it's just that sometimes when we are in a dark pit, we can't see or feel His love and grace. But it's always there. I'm a christian, and I've been in that dark pit many times. In fact, I'm in that pit right now. But I dare to call out to God to continue to shine his grace and love on me.

A person can be a thousand miles away from God, but he never stops loving us or shining his grace upon us. When we wander off the path, He stands and waits for us to return, no matter how long it takes.

Sure, it's all about God's grace (unmerited favor).
Without it, we're lost with absolutely no hope.

We love and appreciate His grace so much
that we choose to co-operate with Him!

This is the response of God's real elect,
chosen before the foundation of the world.

Jesus said ...
Both wheat and tares are in the Kingdom of God (heaven).
But, at the end of this age, the tares are sent off to be burned.

Art thou a wheat or a tare?

 

[Grace777x70]

What I highlighted in red, is not always true. There are many Christians who love God, but have given up on Him because they feel He isn't there or doesn't hear them. Or they feel too worthless to be deserving of His love and grace. But even if, in their despair, they reach out to Him again, He will shine His love and grace upon them. His love and grace never fall away from our lives, it's just that sometimes when we are in a dark pit, we can't see or feel His love and grace. But it's always there. I'm a christian, and I've been in that dark pit many times. In fact, I'm in that pit right now. But I dare to call out to God to continue to shine his grace and love on me.

A person can be a thousand miles away from God, but he never stops loving us or shining his grace upon us. When we wander off the path, He stands and waits for us to return, no matter how long it takes.

Amen...I agree with this 100%.

I believe a lot of sincere believers have left the church ( not Jesus ) because they could not live this religious Christian life that was being preached to them. They loved Jesus " in their heart" but they didn't want to be a hypocrite so they backed away from the organized church.

Then there is the group that struggled with a certain sin and were never taught about grace properly and so they left because they were defeated. Constantly feeling condemned and guilty and full of shame. The legalists keep preaching at them to change!

The only change that is effective is from the true manifestation of the life of Jesus that is already in us - in our new creation and that only comes with the message of the gospel of the grace of Christ. This is the hearing of Christ's love and grace towards us.

I believe there are thousands of Christians like this but I also believe the Lord is bringing them back to Him - only this time it will be based on the true knowledge of Him and His love and grace for them.

 

[blue_ladybug]

Thank you for the rep, Bruce. God bless.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

.
God always (except for Jesus' creation and sustaining) works in co-operation with man!

So, re: man's salvation ... He makes us born again from above,
and IF we co-operate, we receive eternal life at the end of the salvation process.

Would you agree that when a person Is born again,they receive salvation at the same time?

 

[PrynceNY]

We are NOT saved by being born again. We are saved by grace through faith. God does NOT say, "IF you do this, I will do that for you." We don't lose our salvation if we don't do good deeds. JMO John 3:16, in part: "For whosoever shall believeth on Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life." We need only believe that Jesus is who he says he is. And confess that he is our Lord and Savior.

I agree "good deeds" doesn't equal lost of salvation however those who make the decision to not to do good deeds in the lords name won't get many rewards if any at the judgement seat of Christ. As it says in James 1:22 - Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. The Lord also spoke of peoples blood being on our hands if we don't warn them of their ways.