Tag: Righteousness

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, The Armor of God

Truth and Righteousness

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based on the Love God Greatly study, The Armor of God / w1d3

Scripture/SOAP: Ephesians 6:13-14

For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 

Ephesians 6:13-14 NET
First Things First

Before we jump into the first two pieces of armor let’s not miss the reason and instruction that come with the armor.

The Reason is found in verses 10-12, namely to stand against the “schemes of the devil”, our real and present enemy, He is evil (the ruler of darkness, part of the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens…) he is dangerous and deadly to those caught unaware and unarmed. However, when we follow the instructions Paul gives, specifically “putting on the full armor of God, we will be able to withstand the devil’s plots and schemes and all manners of evil meant to steal, kill, and destroy the children of God.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

Ephesians 6:13-14 NLT

Not a Three-Piece-Suit

I especially appreciate the NLT version of this verse, as it makes clear that our armor is not to be treated like a three-piece-suit where you can wear the pants and jacket and forego the vest or the pants and vest and forego the jacket. No, Paul stresses that it is to be, as the NLT translates, every piece, that is if you want to still be standing when the battle is over – and not just standing – but standing firm – unwavering! We are to be covered from head-to-toe, specifically and intentionally covered and ready for warfare.

It takes the whole “suit of armor” to successfully stand against the enemy – me, from the inside-out

The Belt and BreastPlate / truth and Righteousness
  1. The Belt of Truth is listed first, which I love because ‘truth’ is not only one of the names applied to Jesus in John 14:6, but it is also the name applied to the Word of God in John 17:17. It seems to be that God’s Truth is the very foundation of our salvation since faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word [truth] of God as Paul discloses in Romans 10:17.
    • Here’s something interesting though. This piece of the armor isn’t simply about the truth, but rather how the the truth helps and protects us – which is seen most clearly when we understand why Paul used the metaphor of the “belt”. I read it somewhere, years ago but found it again today on the Billy Graham website . The writer explainsthat – “In ancient times, a warrior’s belt was essential for survival. It not only held his weapons; it cinched his tunic at the waist, allowing him to move about freely.” The writer also included this analogy, “Just as a belt gave the warrior freedom of movement and a way to defend himself, the belt of truth provides spiritual freedom and protection for those who belong to Jesus Christ.”
    • Putting it on: Simply start with Scripture. Read it, listen to it, study it on your own or with a group, sit under the teaching of it, keep it open on your app or written on cards and post-it-notes where you will see it often. The idea is to be saturated with it and just as a belt holds up pieces of clothing it is meant to have an affect on the rest of the armor.
  2. The second piece of armor that Paul mentions is the “breastplate of righteousness” which we study in-depth in our second week.

Going Further:

Don’t forget to check out today’s LGG Blog Post

Posted in Bible study, From Broken to Restored, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

Conviction, Confession, Forgiveness

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based on the Love God Greatly study, From Broken to Restored / w4d3

Scripture: Nehemiah 9:1-4; Leviticus 26:39-45 / SOAP: 1 John 1:9

But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

All of our passages in today’s study reveal the seriousness that God places on sin. It is so serious that it requires action on our part – that action is the confession of sin, meaning we admit our guilt before God – and in repentance turn away from the sin back to God and His way. In the Old Testament this meant offering a sacrifice to make atonement for the sin, however, in the New Testament that all changed with the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. His righteous blood was sufficient to ‘once and for all’ pay for the sins of man unlike any animal sacrifice that was or could ever be given.

While 1 John 1:9 is God’s promise to beleivers – that when/if we confess our sins, God is faithful and righteous to forgive the sins. The added blessing is that God doesn’t just forgive the sins but He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. However, we must not ignore or miss the fact that this forgiveness comes “when/if” we “confess” our sins to God. When sins remained unconfessed they become a problem for us1, a stumbling block for others2, and a hindrance to our relationship with God3.

1Hebrews 12:7–11; 1 Corinthians 11:30

2Matthew 18:5-7; Matthew 18:8

  • 3If, as children of God, we choose to remain in our sin, then we choose the consequences that go with that choice. Broken fellowship and lack of growth result. However, those who persist in sin need to reexamine their true relationship with God (2 Corinthians 13:5) – Gotquestions.org;
  • See also Isaiah 59:2
    • Unconfessed sin works like a drape. Imagine standing by a south window on a cold winter day. The air is frigid, but the sun is shining through the window. It begins to warm you, and you bask in its glow. Then you pull the drape closed. Instantly, the warmth stops. Is it because the sun has stopped shining? No, it is because something has come between you and the sun. The moment you open the drape, the sun can warm you again. But it is up to you. The barrier is inside the house, not outside.
Making it Personal – Reflection

Was the people’s repentance genuine? How does genuine repentance differ from ritual repentance? Which one honors God more?

Going Further

Don’t miss today’s insight in the LGG Blog

A Sin Offering: https://www.gotquestions.org/sin-offering.html

The Danger of Unconfessed Sin

A Stumbling Block

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, The Importance of Prayer

Pray Rejoicing In Hope

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Inspired by the – The Importance of Prayer, A LGG Bible Study- w3d1
Today’s Scripture: Romans 5:1-5; SOAP: 1-2

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. 3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5 NET

3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Romans 4:3

But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake, 24 but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

Romans 4:23-25

Is there anything more exciting than knowing we have been declared righteous by our faith? To truly understand the implication and the beauty of it, the unbelievable love behind it, and the truest meaning of God’s grace – it helps to read chapters 1-4 of Romans but specifically Romans 4:3, 23-25. I especially love verses 23-24, “But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake, but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” But in context with our study on prayer, what does it all mean? How does it affect the way we pray? And, how does it produce a HOPE in which we can rejoice?

Why Can We Pray Rejoicing in HOPE?

Because, to name a few reasons …

  • Christ was given over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.(4:25)
  • We are DECLARED Righteous through faith in Christ. (3:24-25)
    • This declaration happens by grace through faith, not by works. (Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • We have peace with God, through the sinless blood of Christ. (5:1-2)
  • Which means we have access, or A WAY, [Jesus Christ, John 14:6] …
    • to enter into the presence of God
    • to stand in His Grace
    • to rejoice in the HOPE of God and all that is His

Faith is the victory! It is the key to the righteousness we must obtain through Christ to be made right with God and experience the hope of rejoicing in His glory! – The hope that does not disappoint, as we come to know the love of God that has been poured out into our hearts through His Holy Spirit, who He has given to us! It [faith] is the key to praying with HOPE and to rejoicing in our sufferings, and standing in His Grace!

Father, Than You for the HOPE that comes from knowing and believing in Your Son, Jesus! Thank for the RIGHTEOUSNESS that is ours through our Faith in Him, in His death and resurrection, for the victory that is ours through this FAITH, and for making a way where there was truly no other way. Thank You for Your GRACE that allows us to stand in Your presence and to REJOICE in the HOPE of Your GLORY but also in our sufferings because of the love You have poured into our hearts through Your Spirit! – Thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen –

Want More

Be sure and check out today’s LGG blog post for even more insight

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Everlasting Covenant – Week2 Tuesday – Christ Fulfills the Law

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Question of the Day: What is the law’s purpose?

Today’s Scritpure: Exodus 24:3-8; Matthew 5:17-20 (S.O.A.P. Matthew 5:17)

Teaching about the Law
Exodus 24:3-8 New Living Translation

Then Moses went down to the people and repeated all the instructions and regulations the Lord had given him. All the people answered with one voice, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.”

4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. 5 Then he sent some of the young Israelite men to present burnt offerings and to sacrifice bulls as peace offerings to the Lord. 6 Moses drained half the blood from these animals into basins. The other half he splattered against the altar.

7 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it aloud to the people. Again they all responded, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded. We will obey.”

8 Then Moses took the blood from the basins and splattered it over the people, declaring, “Look, this blood confirms the covenant the Lord has made with you in giving you these instructions.”

Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

20 “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

LGG Blog
Matthew 5:17 Reference
Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Everlasting Covenant

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Today’s Scripture: Genesis 15:1-6; Galatians 3:15-18 (S.O.A.P. Genesis 15:6)

The Lord’s Covenant Promise to Abram

Some time later, the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”

2 But Abram replied, “O Sovereign LORD, what good are all Your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since You’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”

4 Then the LORD said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5 Then the LORD took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”

6 And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.

LGG BLOG
Posted in Bible study, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

Malachi 4:2-3 … Leaping for Joy

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The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.

2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. 3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Malachi 4:1-3

The Coming Day of Judgment

Have you ever read a passage of Scripture and then read it again only to say – huh? Sometimes you just have to use a commentary or call someone smarter than you. I opted for a commentary with today’s passage from Malachi, and before I finish this I won’t be surprised if I need to call someone. .

Reading through several trusted commentaries I learned that the phrase – “The sun of Righteousness” in verse 1 typically refers to the coming Messiah. I reread that first verse and the phrase “healing in His wings” jumped off the page, revealing, yet again, the HOPE that comes from being in Christ – belonging to God. Reading on through verse 2 with this fresh awareness I found myself smiling at the scene – where, in stark contrast to the wicked, described in verse 1 as being consumed — roots, branches, and all – we, who fear His name, are set free – “leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture”. As I mulled this one over – I was reminded of one of my favorite verses “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free …” Now, I don’t know if a Bible scholar would put these two verses together in any way, but for me, one highlights the other – for I am no longer bound or held captive by the law of sin and death instead, I live in freedom because the Messiah came to set me free. Oh, how I love when the Old Testament meets the New Testament, or visa versus, and defines its or at least shines a light on it.

The next part is still puzzling to me, but what I did notice was the description of God as – “the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” is the same reference of hope that the Psalmist used in our reading from Psalm 46 on Friday. Remember? He was referenced as being “on our side”. This picture goes with the commentary I found in my NIV study Bible for Malachi, that says –

“These last verses of the Old Testament are filled with hope. Regardless of how life looks now, God controls the future, and everything will be made right. We who have loved and served God look forward to a joyful celebration. This hope for the future becomes ours when we have trusted God with our lives.”

NIV Study Bible Note on Malachi 4:2-3

Some 400 plus years after these words from Malachi, the Messiah was indeed born, and with Him came the deliverance that had been promised and long-awaited. As believers today, we revel in the freedom received through Faith in the One who was born of a virgin, suffered, bled, and died for our sins, and rose again from the grave – delivering us from the bondage of sin and death. He is our Hope, the Anchor for our soul, and the reason we can proclaim with confidence – God is in control! I have nothing to fear! Christ, “the Sun of Righteousness,” is the reason we wait with confidence and not dread of the coming day of judgment when we will stand before God in the Righteousness and freedom of Christ and we will echo the words of the Psalmist and of Malachi – The LORD of Heaven’s Armies is on our side!

Posted in LGG Study

Jesus Our Everything: Week 5, Day 3

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Question of the Day: According to Hebrews 11:1, what is Faith? What do you think this means?

Today’s Scipture: Hebrews 11:1-7 (S.O.A.P. Hebrews 11:1-2)

People Commended for Their Faith

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see. 2 For by it the people of old[a] received God’s commendation.[b] 3 By faith we understand that the worlds[c] were set in order at God’s command,[d] so that the visible has its origin in the invisible.[e] 4 By faith Abel offered God a greater sacrifice than Cain, and through his faith[f] he was commended as righteous, because God commended him for his offerings. And through his faith[g] he still speaks, though he is dead. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he did not see death, and he was not to be found because God took him up. For before his removal he had been commended as having pleased God. 6 Now without faith it is impossible to please him, for the one who approaches God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, when he was warned about things not yet seen, with reverent regard[h] constructed an ark for the deliverance of his family. Through faith he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

LGG Blog
Bible Reference
Posted in God is good, Prayer Starters

A Different High Priest

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Without father, without mother, without genealogy, he has neither beginning of days nor end of life but is like the Son of God, and he remains a priest for all time. Hebrews 7:3 (NET)

Father, you are good! And in your goodness, You have given me a Great High Priest. – One who is not born of human descent but sent from heaven. One with no beginning or end – in the order of Melchizedek. One without Sin! One who not only offers a sacrifice on my behalf but who is my sacrifice. Whose Righteousness covers me. Whose peace and love fill me. And one after whom I am being transformed. There is much HOPE in Your goodness and in my Savior and High Priest – Jesus Christ! May His love and light shine brightly through me – today and every day.