GRACE GAZETTE
Volume VIIssue 28
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. Jeremiah 23:6

The salvation of GOD's people is never in doubt. The LORD JESUS said, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day." (John 6:37-39) At the same time the salvation of righteous and religious men will never occur. The LORD JESUS said, "They that are whole need not a physician: but they that are sick I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:31-32)

The apostle Paul said that the reason that religious Jews (or for that matter all men who rely upon their religion) were going to perish was that they "being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." (Rom 10:3-4)

The religious and righteous mindset of men causes them to consider that there is something which they can produce or bring before GOD that will cause HIM to have some consideration of them and to reward them for their sincerity and devotion. They generally are of the opinion that they can define what is acceptable in HIS sight by choosing out the religious path that they desire to follow. Some choose Hinduism, some Catholicism, some Judaism, some Buddhism, some atheism, and some Christianity of various stripes and hues. All men who choose such paths are confident that the path they have chosen is a proper path and will bring them to their desired destination.

It is often shocking to those who call themselves Christians to hear someone lump their "religion" in with all the others there are in the world but the fact is that it does not matter what creed or doctrine that a man chooses to follow, if he is relying on his choice of that way then he is seeking to establish his own righteousness and he will surely perish.

The salvation which the LORD JESUS CHRIST came into the world to procure has nothing at all to do with man's choices or decisions. That salvation is totally secured and provided by HIS hand completely apart from any action or ratification on the part of men. When the LORD JESUS CHRIST came into the world; HE came for one purpose. As the angel told Joseph, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." (Mat 1:21) HE declared as much in John 6 and manifested HIS purpose in HIS prayer in Gethsemane's garden, "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." (John 17:1-4) HE made it abundantly clear that HE was specifically concerned with that particular people that HE came into the world to save as HE continued with HIS prayer. "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them." (John 17:9-10)

It is abundantly clear in the scripture record that JESUS CHRIST has "obtained eternal redemption for" (Heb 9:12) HIS people. HE has justified them with HIS blood thereby delivering them from the condemnation of the law. "Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him." (Rom 5:9) All that the elect sons of GOD have ever needed HE has supplied. This is exactly what the prophet Jeremiah is saying in the scripture verse that we are looking at.

The predominant teaching of many (who profess to be preaching the gospel), that has covered the world in darkness and confusion in the present day is a message that assures men that they will be received by GOD if they'll only choose HIM and cooperate with his precepts. It is in most ways no different than trying to persuade men to follow any other religion. Its precepts are built on the notion that men have the right and the ability to choose GOD whenever they please. But Jeremiah understood that the hope of Judah was not in any action of their own but in the privilege of being called by the name of the LORD, JEHOVAH OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. The Psalmist said, "Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple." (Psa 65:4)

So the hope of GOD's children is not in anything of their own doing. Not their choice, not their obedience, not their willingness, sincerity, nor devotion, not their conformity to certain creeds or organizations, but rather their hope is built on nothing less than JESUS blood and righteousness. HE is their RIGHTEOUSNESS:

Eternally. GOD has loved HIS people before the foundation of the world. They have always been approved in HIS sight because they have always been seen in the righteousness of CHRIST. "For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them." (Psa 139:13-16)

Temporally. (not temporarily) HE has become their righteousness in the temporal world in which we live. "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." (Gal 4:4-5) HE has justified HIS elect according to the law which it pleased HIM to subject them to. HE is now both JUST and the JUSTIFIER. (see Rom.3:26) HE is pleased to reveal HIMSELF to those whom HE has thus justified by HIS work in their behalf. HE does that through the quickening work of the SPIRIT of GOD which enables them to hear the proclamation of the gospel, which HE is pleased to send according to HIS mercy. (see Rom.10:8-17; II Tim.1:10; Eph.2:1)

Finally. We look for no other standard whereby we might find acceptance with HIM except that which HE has provided without our participation. Through the ages to come the saints of GOD shall glorify HIS name and the testimony shall ring out forever that HE is OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." (Rev 21:3-7)

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