TRUE GOSPEL FOR SALVATION BY THE IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS

INDUCTIVE BIBLE TOPIC STUDY

TRUE GOSPEL FOR SALVATION BY THE IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS

By Dennis Schmidt 3/2007

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This paper discusses the true gospel of Christ for salvation which includes the revelation of the imputed righteousness of Jesus as well as Jesus life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection as the only basis for saving, keeping saved, & growth of Christians. All scriptures are from the King James' version Bible.

INDUCTIVE COMMENTS:

THEME: Righteousness of God, by Jesus, as only means to salvation to those who believe. Salvation is dependent only on God & not on the sinner, nor can the sinner do anything for it.

The sinner can't do anything to earn any part of his salvation, maintaining salvation, Holy Spirit, blessing or growing in the Lord. Jesus has completed it all & the Holy Ghost applies it to the heart (mind, affections & will). Only Jesus righteousness imputed to the sinner is the basis for God's gospel for salvation. The man never becomes righteous in himself. All man's efforts are of unbelief, evil deeds & self righteous because he rejected the righteousness of God by grace.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; {2} By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. {3} For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures"

PURPOSE: The sinner can't do anything to earn any part of his salvation, maintaining salvation, Holy Spirit, blessing or growing in the Lord. Jesus has completed it all & the Holy Ghost applies it to the heart (mind, affections & will). Only Jesus righteousness imputed to the sinner is the basis for God's gospel for salvation. The man never becomes righteous in himself. All man's efforts are of unbelief, evil deeds & self righteous because he rejected the righteousness of God by grace.

Romans 3:10-18 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: {11} There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {12} They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. {13} Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: {14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: {15} Their feet are swift to shed blood: {16} Destruction and misery are in their ways: {17} And the way of peace have they not known: {18} There is no fear of God before their eyes."

KEY VERSE:

Titus 3:5-7 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, & renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; {7} That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." Jesus plus anything (works, law) is not salvation.

WHO: God mainly by Bible author Paul

TO WHOM: Elected Christians

WHAT: The gospel of Christ is God's means of satisfies His law, justice and being man's savior. Good news, preached, of the righteousness of God through Jesus as the only saving means, without man's effort, by the life, ministry, death & resurrection of God's unique Son Jesus.

Romans 1:16-17 "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. {17} For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Righteousness of God, by Jesus, as only means to salvation to those who believe. Salvation is dependent only on God & not on the sinner, nor can the sinner do anything for it

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, & desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Man's heart is evil & would never ask for repentance, God's righteousness, or faith to believe. Man is a self centered (god of his life) in these areas & He thinks he can make a decision that will bring about his salvation. He depends on his own righteousness. He is not submitted to or ignorant of the righteousness of God by Jesus, as the only means to salvation provided by God.

Man makes himself a god. "There is none" God centered.

WHY: The sinner owes a debt they can never pay. No effort on their part can save them or keep them saved.

Galatians 1:6 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel" True Gospel is God's call for you into the grace of Christ.

Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." Justified by faith of Jesus Christ given to us to believe & not by our works of law.

Galatians 5:3-4 "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. {4} Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." Jesus plus (+) law, flesh, works, faith (anything) for salvation, maintaining salvation, growing as a Christian, or blessings makes Christ of no effect.

1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh should glory in his presence." Christ will not share His glory, power, ministry, salvation, righteousness or any other characteristic of God with man.

WAY: Gospel of Christ for salvation in Jesus righteousness in His death, burial & resurrection

Romans 10:15-17 "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! {16} But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? {17} So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

WHEREAS: Meeting God's standard of: being: holy, pure, justified, upright, meet, moral

Romans 3:21-26 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; {22} Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: {23} For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; {24} Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: {25} Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; {26} To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

Righteousness of God, same method used in the Old Testament, without the law or any of man's (flesh) efforts, but by faith of Jesus through God's grace man is justified and forgiven.

Romans 4:3-9 "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. {4} Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. {5} But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. {6} Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, {7} Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. {8} Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. {9} Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."

God uses the same method in the Old Testament of righteousness of God & will not impute sins.

Romans 5:17, 20-21 "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {20} Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: {21} That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

They which receive grace through the gift of righteousness of God unto eternal life by Jesus

Romans 10:1-4 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. {2} For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. {3} For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. {4} For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Paul's desire was for Israel's salvation. Israel has a zeal for God, but not according to God's method. It is not enough to have zeal! Israel is not submitted to God's righteousness which is the end of the law for believer. Many people, today, have as the basis for salvation their flesh, zeal, works, & law! This is not according to God's way of righteousness. Anyone not submitted to or ignorant of the righteousness of God for salvation is not saved! Jesus has completed the perfect work for the Christian's salvation, maintaining their salvation, growth, etc.

WHERE: Earth

WHEN: All Times

WHILE: Imputation is the means or the merits of Christ are legally charged to the Christian, to his account. He is saved, justified, made a child and heir with Jesus. Jesus righteousness, through God's grace, entitled the Christian to all that salvation offers of eternal life both on earth and in heaven. The Christian does not have a righteousness within himself. He gains Christ's righteousness. The Christian's sins are also imputed to Christ. Christ does not have sin within Himself. Jesus bears our sins. Other words for imputed are: reckon, count, made, charge, declare, & credit to another account.

Philemon 18-19 "If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; {19} I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides" Charge to Paul, Onesimus (run away slave) debt, who would repay any loss to Philemon's. God's used Paul as the instrument to lead Philemon to salvation thereby Philemon owned Paul a greater debt.

2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him" Jesus was imputed with man's sin, but he did not sin Himself. The imputation of our sins to Jesus, and His righteousness imputed to us is the means of making the Gospel personal to us. It is not the historical facts of Jesus death, burial, & resurrection which regenerates us, but the regenerative act by God in us.

Philippians 3:6-10 "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. {7} But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. {8} Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, {9} And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: {10} That I may know him, & the power of his resurrection, & the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" Paul's works were as dung as compared with God's righteousness being excellent.

WANT: Man was created to have fellowship, as a child, with his Father God. God created man for that reason. Man can only have an abundant life when he worships God in that fellowship in spirit & truth. Man can then enjoy God's love, mercy, and grace in an everlasting relationship with his heavenly Father. God has made man as the only creature to be given a spiritual & moral nature made in God's own image. Man can think and reason. He has self awareness to fellowship with God in a spiritual life given him from above by the righteousness of God imputed by Jesus life and ministry.

Matthew 10:40-41 "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. {41} He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward." The Christian receives Jesus as his savior and not accepts Jesus. The difference is God offers the righteousness of God as the only salvation way, and the believer will receive (regenerated heart) the offer. The unbeliever thinks he can make the decision (his works) to accept or reject the offer as the cause of his salvation.

John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" Receive the gift that God offers of Jesus' complete fulfilled atonement. God regenerates the Christian & inclines the believer to understand who he is.

Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." God can not lie. God said it & God will do it. The calling which God puts in the sinners heart by faith.

WAIT: Regeneration is to be born (from above) into God's family by receiving God's son Jesus as savior. An example of God's regenerating influence is shown by two students in a physic course. Each student has studied the subject, memorized the textbook information, & knows the laws of physics well. They listen & memorize an expert professor instructions as he teaches on a difficult concept.

After the class, the first student tells the professor he accepts everything taught. This student, in his religious equivalence, would tell people what he memorized about Jesus. He call himself a Christian and even acts like a Christian, but he was not born again by God. He is not a Christian until God regenerates him. God may later use, this information, to bring him to a saving faith.

Romans 9:16, 20-21 "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. {20} Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? {21} Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" God plan for us.

The second student while listening to the professor received what the professor taught. It made logical sense because God made it real to him. He was enlighten by God's gifts & inclined within to understand the physics concepts. After the class, the second student accepts everything the professor taught. This student, in his religious equivalence, would tell people that God provided faith for him to believe in Jesus. He calls himself a Christian and acts like a Christian in response of God regenerating him. This gift was provided by God's grace, not anything he did or his works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: <it is> the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast." God gives grace & we believe.

The Christian is regenerated by God. A divine act of God supplies the Christian the mental capability to enlighten him & incline his heart (mind, affections & will) to save him. God's order in natural birth is for a baby to be born then he cry's. In a Christian, when born-again, has God producing a supernatural re-birth then he confesses. Natural man, with all Biblical knowledge, will never confess God savingly.

Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Evidence of our faith is confession showing change already having taken place by an operation of God. Our doctrine (position) is spoken that we believe in the righteousness of Christ alone for our salvation and are submitted to it for every blessing and our eternal home in heaven.

PAPER OUTLINE:

I) HOW CAN GOD BE BOTH A JUST GOD & A SAVIOR?:

II) GOSPEL:

III) 1ST KEY SCRIPTURE: GOSPEL IS POWER OF GOD BY HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS TO SALVATION THROUGH FAITH:

IV) 2ND KEY SCRIPTURE: GOSPEL IS JESUS LIFE AND MINISTRY THAT CHRISTIAN'S RECEIVE FOR SALVATION:

V) REVEALED BY PREACHER SENT BY GOD TO THOSE OF FAITH:

VI) TRUE VERSUS FALSE GOSPEL:

VII) RIGHTEOUSNESS:

VIII) IMPUTED:

IX) TRANSFER OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR OUR SINS:

X) RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:

XI) REGENERATION:

XII) WE ARE SAVED BY THE GOSPEL OF JESUS RIGHTEOUSNESS, LIFE, MINISTRY, BY GRACE, AND NOT BY OUR WORKS:

I) HOW CAN GOD BE BOTH A JUST GOD & A SAVIOR?:

See my paper: "God's Plan & Purpose for the Ages" for more information on this subject.

Isaiah 45:21 "Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God & a Saviour; there is none beside me"

- The gospel of Christ is God's means of satisfies His law, justice and being man's savior.

II) GOSPEL: Good news, preached, of the righteousness of God through Jesus as the only saving means, without man's effort, by the life, ministry, death & resurrection of God's unique Son Jesus.

III) 1ST KEY SCRIPTURE: GOSPEL IS POWER OF GOD BY HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS TO SALVATION THROUGH FAITH:

See my paper: "Imputed/Reckoned/Counted Righteousness of Jesus" for more information on this subject.

Romans 1:16-17 "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. {17} For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

- Righteousness of God, by Jesus, as only means to salvation to those who believe

Salvation is dependent only on God & not on the sinner, nor can the sinner do anything for it

- The sinner can't do anything to earn any part of his salvation, maintaining salvation, Holy Spirit, blessing or growing in the Lord. Jesus has completed it all & the Holy Ghost applies it to the heart (mind, affections & will). Only Jesus righteousness imputed to the sinner is the basis for God's gospel for salvation. The man never becomes righteous in himself. All man's efforts are of unbelief, evil deeds & self righteous because he rejected the righteousness of God by grace.

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, & desperately wicked: who can know it?"

- Man's heart is evil & would never ask for repentance, God's righteousness, or faith to believe. Man is a self centered (god of his life) in these areas & He thinks he can make a decision that will bring about his salvation. He depends on his own righteousness. He is not submitted to or ignorant of the righteousness of God by Jesus, as the only means to salvation provided by God.

See my paper: "What is a Born-Again & How to Become One?" for more information on this subject.

Romans 3:10-18 "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: {11} There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. {12} They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. {13} Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: {14} Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: {15} Their feet are swift to shed blood: {16} Destruction and misery are in their ways: {17} And the way of peace have they not known: {18} There is no fear of God before their eyes."

- Man makes himself a god. "There is none" God centered.

IV) 2ND KEY SCRIPTURE: GOSPEL IS JESUS LIFE AND MINISTRY THAT CHRISTIAN'S RECEIVE FOR SALVATION:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4 "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; {2} By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. {3} For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; {4} And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures"

- Gospel of Christ for salvation in Jesus righteousness in His death, burial & resurrection

V) REVEALED BY PREACHER SENT BY GOD TO THOSE OF FAITH:

Romans 10:15-17 "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! {16} But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? {17} So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

- Preach the gospel, good news, of the righteousness of Christ to save those of faith in God's word

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. {18} For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God"

VI) TRUE VERSUS FALSE GOSPEL:

Galatians 1:6 "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel" - True Gospel is God's call for you into the grace of Christ. The sinner owes a debt they can never pay. No effort on their part can save them or keep them saved.

Galatians 2:16 "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

- Justified by faith of Jesus Christ given to us to believe & not by our works of law.

See my paper: "What Does God Really Want?" for more information on this subject.

See my paper: "Questions & Answers on Law, Faith, & Liberty" for more information on this subject.

Galatians 5:3-4 "For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. {4} Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace." - Jesus plus (+) law, flesh, works, faith (anything) for salvation, maintaining salvation, growing as a Christian, or blessings makes Christ of no effect.

1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh should glory in his presence."

- Christ will not share His glory, power, ministry, salvation, righteousness or any other characteristic of God with man.

VII) RIGHTEOUSNESS: Meeting God's standard of: being: holy, pure, justified, upright, meet, moral

See my paper: "Salvation Biblical Word Glossary" for more information on this subject.

- Therein (Romans 1:17) = Gospel = Righteousness of God is revealed by faith. Just = Righteous

Romans 3:21-26 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; {22} Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: {23} For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; {24} Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: {25} Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; {26} To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus."

- Righteousness of God, same method used in the Old Testament, without the law or any of man's (flesh) efforts, but by faith of Jesus through God's grace man is justified and forgiven.

Romans 4:3-9 "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. {4} Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. {5} But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. {6} Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, {7} Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. {8} Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. {9} Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness."

- God uses the same method in the Old Testament of righteousness of God & will not impute sins.

Romans 5:17, 20-21 "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) {20} Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: {21} That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

- They which receive grace through the gift of righteousness of God unto eternal life by Jesus

Romans 10:1-4 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. {2} For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. {3} For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. {4} For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

- Paul's desire was for Israel's salvation. Israel has a zeal for God, but not according to God's method. It is not enough to have zeal! Israel is not submitted to God's righteousness which is the end of the law for believer. Many people, today, have as the basis for salvation their flesh, zeal, works, & law! This is not according to God's way of righteousness. Anyone not submitted to or ignorant of the righteousness of God for salvation is not saved! Jesus has completed the perfect work for the Christian's salvation, maintaining their salvation, growth, etc.

VIII) IMPUTED: means the merits of Christ are legally charged to the Christian, to his account. He is saved, justified, made a child and heir with Jesus. Jesus righteousness, through God's grace, entitled the Christian to all that salvation offers of eternal life both on earth and in heaven. The Christian does not have a righteousness within himself. He gains Christ's righteousness. The Christian's sins are also imputed to Christ. Christ does not have sin within Himself. Jesus bears our sins.

- Other words for imputed are: reckon, count, made, charge, declare, & credit to another account.

- Charge to Paul, Onesimus (run away slave) debt, who would repay any loss to Philemon's. God's used Paul as the instrument to lead Philemon to salvation thereby Philemon owned Paul a greater debt.

IX) TRANSFER OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR OUR SINS:

2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him"

- Jesus was imputed with man's sin, but he did not sin Himself. The imputation of our sins to Jesus, and His righteousness imputed to us is the means of making the Gospel personal to us. It is not the historical facts of Jesus death, burial, & resurrection which regenerates us, but the regenerative act by God in us.

Philippians 3:6-10 "Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. {7} But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. {8} Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, {9} And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: {10} That I may know him, & the power of his resurrection, & the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death"

- Paul's works were as dung as compared with God's righteousness being excellent.

X) RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:

See my paper: "Man's Greatest Need - Relationship with God" for more information on this subject.

Man was created to have fellowship, as a child, with his Father God. God created man for that reason. Man can only have an abundant life when he worships God in that fellowship in spirit & truth. Man can then enjoy God's love, mercy, and grace in an everlasting relationship with his heavenly Father. God has made man as the only creature to be given a spiritual & moral nature made in God's own image. Man can think and reason. He has self awareness to fellowship with God in a spiritual life given him from above by the righteousness of God imputed by Jesus life and ministry.

Matthew 10:40-41 "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. {41} He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward."

- The Christian receives Jesus as his savior and not accepts Jesus. The difference is God offers the righteousness of God as the only salvation way, and the believer will receive (regenerated heart) the offer. The unbeliever thinks he can make the decision (his works) to accept or reject the offer as the cause of his salvation.

John 1:12 "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"

- Receive the gift that God offers of Jesus' complete fulfilled atonement. God regenerates the Christian & inclines the believer to understand who he is.

Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

- God can not lie. God said it & God will do it. The calling which God puts in the sinners heart by faith.

XI) REGENERATION: Born (from above) into God's family by receiving God's son Jesus as savior.

- An example of God's regenerating influence is shown by two students in a physic course. Each student has studied the subject, memorized the textbook information, & knows the laws of physics well. They listen & memorize an expert professor instructions as he teaches on a difficult concept.

Romans 9:16, 20-21 "So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that showeth mercy. {20} Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? {21} Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?" - God plan for us.

- The second student while listening to the professor received what the professor taught. It made logical sense because God made it real to him. He was enlighten by God's gifts & inclined within to understand the physics concepts. After the class, the second student accepts everything the professor taught. This student, in his religious equivalence, would tell people that God provided faith for him to believe in Jesus. He calls himself a Christian and acts like a Christian in response of God regenerating him. This gift was provided by God's grace, not anything he did or his works.

Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: <it is> the gift of God: {9} Not of works, lest any man should boast." - God gives grace & we believe.

- The Christian is regenerated by God. A divine act of God supplies the Christian the mental capability to enlighten him & incline his heart (mind, affections & will) to save him. God's order in natural birth is for a baby to be born then he cry's. In a Christian, when born-again, has God producing a supernatural re-birth then he confesses. Natural man, with all Biblical knowledge, will never confess God savingly.

Romans 10:9-10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. {10} For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

- Evidence of our faith is confession showing change already having taken place by an operation of God. Our doctrine (position) is spoken that we believe in the righteousness of Christ alone for our salvation and are submitted to it for every blessing and our eternal home in heaven.

XII) WE ARE SAVED BY THE GOSPEL OF JESUS RIGHTEOUSNESS, LIFE, MINISTRY, BY GRACE, AND NOT BY OUR WORKS:

See my paper: "Grace" for more information on this subject.

Titus 3:5-7 "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, & renewing of the Holy Ghost; {6} Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; {7} That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life." - Jesus plus anything (works, law) is not salvation.

For more information on the Righeousness of God, go to Reign of Grace Ministry (rofgrace.com)

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This page is maintained by Dennis Schmidt. Please send your questions or comments to (dennisschmidt@att.net)