Tag: Righteous

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Life through His Crucifixion

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation, w3d2

Scripture and Observation:

Read: Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 3:18

But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.

Isaiah 53:5

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 Peter 3:18

Peter writes about the reality of Isaiah’s prophecy. A reality that is very much to our benefit and is the incredible testimony of our God’s mercy, love, and grace. Christ was crucified, suffered, and died so that we could be healed from our sins and shame. Why? Because all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and the wages of those sins is death; but God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in HIm should not perish but have eternal life.

Without the suffering of Christ on the cross – pierced, crushed, and beaten – sinners/humanity – you and I would never know peace with God. You see, while Christ is sinless(righteous), we are sinful(unrighteous), which is why Peter wrote: “…the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God …”

Living Out the Journey: Application

The Love God Greatly journal entry for today explains that “The crucifixion was not just a tragic event; it was the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Jesus willingly laid down His life, bearing the weight of our sins. This selfless act of love satisfied the justice of God, who cannot overlook sin. By carrying our sins, He willingly took on the punishment that you and I both deserve. Jesus made it possible for us to receive forgiveness and be restored to a right relationship with God.”

Friends, our sin rendered us lifeless and hopeless and destined for death, but in love, God made a way for us to come back into a right relationship with Him and enjoy eternal life in His presence. May we return His love and enter into that relationship wholeheartedly. May our faith rest firm in the foundation of His death and resurrection, through which we have new hearts, peace, and healing. May we live not as the sinners we were but as the new creations we’ve become – covered in the righteousness of Christ and filled with His Holy Spirit.

Prayer for the Journey

Father God, thank You for the crucifixion – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Thank You for sending Jesus to take our place on a cross of sin and shame and suffering – that we might be healed and receive Your free gift of salvation by grace through faith that leads to eternal life. This is the hope and joy we cling to and give You praise – now and forever more – Amen!

The More We Know

The crucifixion also reveals the incredible depth of God’s love for us that He was willing to sacrifice His own Son to save us. This act of grace is the foundation of our faith and the assurance of our salvation.

Love God Greatly, Firm Foundation/p97

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, Firm Foundation, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, LGG Study, Quiet Time

No One Righteous

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based on the LGG Study, Firm Foundation/w2d3

Scripture and Observation

Read: Romans 3:9-23 / SOAP: 10-12

As the Scriptures say,

“No one is righteous—
    not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;
    no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away;
    all have become useless.
No one does good,
    not a single one.”

Romans 3:10-12

Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. Romans 3:9

In order to understand the question that is asked in verse nine and subsequently answered by Paul in the rest of the chapter, it is helpful to look back to the preceding verses, in this case, to chapter two of Romans. It is here that Paul points out that in and of itself, being a Jew was not a get-out-of-jail-free card. There were certainly benefits that came with being a Jew,1 but like all other people on the earth, they had inherited the sinfulness of the first man/Adam – and would, like all others, answer to God’s judgment for their sins.

The Jews, while chosen by God, were not to believe they were better than the Gentiles, and the Gentiles were not to think they were lesser than the Jews – for as Paul points out, none of them – “not even one” was righteous. The depravity of man stretches across every race on the earth, and as Paul writes in verses 20 and 22: “No one is declared righteous before him by the works of the law.” Instead, Paul makes it clear that “… the righteousness of God comes only through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ to those who believe.”

Living it out (Application from the Journey)

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved2 – is the most significant takeaway from this passage. However, second to it – in my estimation and understanding both personally and from Scripture. – is that all of us, Jew or Gentile … barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free are sinners in need of a savior and utterly dependent on the mercy and grace of God for salvation.3

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (who have believed).

Colossians 3:11 NLT/emphasis mine
Prayer of Response to the Journey

Father, as sinners, condemned unclean, we are all utterly dependent on Your mercy and grace. I rejoice in knowing that You are a gracious and merciful God. I praise You for the Savior, Your Son whom You sent, to make a way where there was no way – opening the door of salvation not only to Your chosen people of Israel but to the Gentiles and all who by faith believe in Jesus Christ! In Him, I am made new, a new creation – the old has gone, the new is here, and in Him, I am free from the law of sin and death – no longer condemned but declared righteous before You in Him – by His blood! Indeed, we have all sinned and fallen short of Your glory, but by faith – we take hold of eternal life, a free gift You have offered to all who believe! Hallelujah and amen!

The More We Know
The LGG Blog Post
https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Lent, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Be The Difference

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based on the LGG Study of Lent, A Season of Drawing Close to God / w3d4

The Journey (Scripture and Observation)
Scripture: Luke 15:1-10 / SOAP: verse 7

I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.

Luke 15:7

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear him.

Luke 15:1 NLT

Whew! What an opening line to a wonderful portion of Luke’s story. Jesus wasn’t having to go to the people, they were coming to Him and as Luke reveals here, even the tax collectors and sinners were coming to hear Jesus. This didn’t settle well with the Pharisees and experts of the law though because it meant Jesus was welcoming them, agreeing not only to spend time talking to them but to eat with them – which was a sign of friendship. They complained and Jesus used the complaint as another teachable moment. He used two parables, stories/examples that were relevant to the day and helpful in making the point that He was needed by the ‘sinner’ more than the ‘righteous ones’. After all, He came to seek and save the lost, (Luke 19:10).

Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. 32 I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Luke 5:31-32 NLT

Jesus’ response to the complaint made by the Pharisees came in the form of parables. The first parable was about a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep who had foolishly strayed off the path. The second story was about a woman who searched desperately for one coin that was lost when she still had the other nine – the point Jesus was making was that His greater concern was for those who needed Him, whether they had foolishly strayed off the path or didn’t even realize they were lost. The end result is that both the sheep and the coin were looked for and when found there was great rejoicing.

Living the Journey

Just as Jesus left the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep and just as the woman shown a light into the dark room to find the missing coin we should likewise give careful attention to the lost and let our light shine into the darkness around us. When we live and love like Jesus we will be the difference He calls us to be and the world around us will be changed.

Even if there is only one who is lost, we are to seek them out – we are to be the light that helps them find their way; and we are to rejoice over them when they are found.

Me – from the Inside-out 🦋
Prayer for the Journey

Father, please help my attitude to be like Jesus’ attitude and not that of the Pharisees. Let me not only see the lost around me but seek them out and respond to them with Jesus’ loving concern and compassion. Let me not be caught up with the complaints of those around me or ever consider myself better than those who are lost or have wandered away. Help me to remember, “but by Your grace there I would be also.” – In Jesus’ Name I pray – Amen!

The More We Know

The Parables Explained

Why Jesus Feasted With a Group of Cultural Outcasts

Righteous versus sinners

https://atomic-temporary-62140760.wpcomstaging.com/2023/03/14/know-these-truths/
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

IN JESUS YOU ARE … RIGHTEOUS

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READ AND SOAP: ROMANS 5:1-2

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

Romans 5:1-2 NLT
REFLECTION QUESTION: According to today’s passage, what is the basis or foundation of our righteousness?

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, ask Him to forgive our sins, and commit our lives to Him, we are made righteous. –

Read the full LGG devotional here

YOUR TURN: WHAT’S YOUR TAKEAWAY? Share your answer in the comment bar below.

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