Personal Righteousness

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Netchaplain

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I believe those reborn learn the holiness of God and the sinfulness of our nature at the same time and at the same level so as not to be overwhelmed as He gradually gives us their comprehension. Therefore I do not think understanding more of His holiness will increase beyond the understanding of our human nature (old man). Regardless of our understanding here, grace ever abounds over our sin nature, but our “confidence toward God” (in our conscience and walk – 1 John 3:20) will be commensurate with the understanding of these truths.

My conception of humility is not contemplation of unworthiness in view of our sin nature, but in accepting God’s favor in Christ—despite that nature! There is a level of acceptability upon our initial learning here, but a continued unworthiness in mind and heart not only evinces a lack of clarity concerning His grace, but also evinces that of a lessor manifestation by the walk of the believer concerning the glory of Christ’s reparation and the Father’s forgiveness (though inadvertently so).

God give us to know the completeness of not only our favor in Christ, but also that of its unchanging principle, so that “our heart condemn us not” (1 John 3:21), and our fellowship with Them exist less unimpeded!
NC





Personal Righteousness

We are not to be as Peter, when he said, “Depart from me, I am a sinful man, O Lord (Luke 5:8). There may be good desires, and tenderness of conscience, but it will run into legality, because of not resting in the favor of the Father. These experiences may be all very useful in their place, but they are not peace. We have peace made and divine righteousness wrought out. I can now look upon my Father without hiding my sin. The way I come to the sense of the immensity of sin is with the immensity of the grace that has met it all.

The reality of the presence of the Holy Spirit, who has come down to dwell in us, is most important. He is given as a seal. The Lord Jesus said, “If I go away, I will send Him unto you.” The Comforter brings to me the fullness of His grace, being the witness of accepted righteousness to our hearts (Rom 8:16). He convicts, or demonstrates, of righteousness and that righteousness is mine in the Lord Jesus. He “is made unto us righteousness” (imputed not imparted* - 1 Cor 1:30—NC), and I stand in it because I stand in Him.

The Spirit convicts the world of sin, of unbelief; but His demonstration to me is of righteousness—righteousness wrought out for me, which my Father has accepted. Now He is perfectly free to bless. My thought now is not, I am so full of sin that He cannot bless me; but rather, my Father has accepted the righteousness of His Son and I stand in that. We are born again of God, and as such need something to bring to Him. It is all furnished in the One who is my Christian life (Col 3:4).

There is not only peace as to the past, but I have the Lord Jesus’ standing in the presence of the Father now (Eph 2:13). We stand in the Last Adam, and have that Second Man’s position in virtue of our eternal redemption. So sure as I had the first Adam’s place as totally rejected because a sinner (Rom 5:17), so I have the Last Adam’s place as totally accepted according to the counsel of the Father in the Son (1 Cor 15:45; Eph 1:11).

At the end of John 17 we have the Lord Jesus’ righteous title (one with the Father in the son-ship of Jesus, v 22—NC) and of His personal title spoken (v 24). He is bound to bless. “I in them.” He could not bless sin, but now righteousness being perfected, all the purposes of His heart in love can flow out to us, because we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor 5:21). Whatever the love of God—the righteousness of God—all that by which He stands in the presence of the Father, because of His work and Person, we have, and are blessed in virtue of it all.
- G V Wigram



Poster’s Opinion:

* “imputed not imparted”: faith and salvation is imparted but righteousness, holiness, justification and sanctification are imputed, i.e. recipients of the benefits from the essences of God but not receiving these essences, which would be to become divine. Hence these are “made unto us” (1 Cor 1:30). We stand in them vicariously in Christ as they are not derived from us but are manifest through us by God’s Spirit using the life of Christ (Col 3:4)—via the “new man” (new nature from Christ – Col 3:10).

Gill comments that “the nature, perfections, and glory of God, are incommunicable to creatures; not hypostatically nor personally, such as is the human nature of Christ, in union with the Son of God, is a partaker of the divine nature in Him. But by way of resemblance and likeness the new man or principle of grace, being formed in the heart in regeneration after the image of God and bearing a likeness to the image of His Son.”


MJS devotional for October 30:

“It is during the time of our being broken that we learn that His promises concerning us cannot be broken.” - MJS

“It is more than comforting to realize that it is those who have plumbed the depths of failure to whom the Father invariably gives the call to shepherd others. This is not a call to the gifted, the highly trained, or the polished as such. Without a bitter realization of their own inadequacy and poverty they are quite unfitted to bear the burdens of spiritual ministry.” – J C M
None But The Hungry Heart
 

Netchaplain

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This is just a note of correction on the prologue to “Personal Righteousness,” that the word “unimpeded” should be impeded, as some probably noticed. Thanks.
 

Zachary

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... faith and salvation is imparted but righteousness,
holiness, justification and sanctification are imputed ...
Yes, this is all done at the time of receiving the Holy Spirit,
i.e. INSIDE at the first Spirit baptism.

But, all such standing must be maintained by the BAC through:
+ co-operating with the Holy Spirit,
+ continuing to endure in the faith,
+ obedience to Jesus' commandments,
+ repenting of all known sins, etc.
... during the salvation process!

Just E.G. --- In the NT, we read several verses of this kind:
"Those who practice righteousness are righteous."
Yes, yes, it does not also say the opposite:
"Those who do not practice righteousness are not righteous."
Kapische?

It's all a matter of having the acceptable heart attitude before the Lord.

BTW, all of this lines up perfectly with what Father God and Jesus
have been saying lately to Their chosen prophets and watchmen!
A short excerpt from one of these messages is:
"shepherds leading multitudes to hell".
Wake Up, church ... you are FAST ASLEEP.
 
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Netchaplain

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This is just a note of correction on the prologue to “Personal Righteousness,” that the word “unimpeded” should be impeded, as some probably noticed. Thanks.
Yes, I noticed it after editing was disallowed. Blessings and thanks for viewing the material!
 

Zachary

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If any BAC here would like to know how to be righteous in God's eyes ...

“… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil … Whoever has been born of God does not sin (habitually) … 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 3:7-10)

Believers who are “faithful” will be obedient to Jesus’ commandments and practice righteousness
… and will have a standing of righteousness before the Lord.


“… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29) But, do all believers who are born of God practice righteousness?

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

There are other NT passages, but I think you get the picture!
.
 

Netchaplain

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Yes, this is all done at the time of receiving the Holy Spirit,
i.e. INSIDE at the first Spirit baptism.

But, all such standing must be maintained by the BAC through:
+ co-operating with the Holy Spirit,
+ continuing to endure in the faith,
+ obedience to Jesus' commandments,
+ repenting of all known sins, etc.
... during the salvation process!
Hi and I appreciate and like your input! True, all of which you've listed will be seen in a believer, but I would say that our obedience and service to God is maintained by His "work in you" (Phl 2:13). Our nature (old man) is incapable, so its by His Son's nature in us (Col 3:10) and His Spirit (Gal 5:17) that others see this by our lives.

Blessings!
 
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Netchaplain

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If any BAC here would like to know how to be righteous in God's eyes ...

“… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil … Whoever has been born of God does not sin (habitually) … 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 3:7-10)

Believers who are “faithful” will be obedient to Jesus’ commandments and practice righteousness
… and will have a standing of righteousness before the Lord.


“… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29) But, do all believers who are born of God practice righteousness?.
I like your phrase "will be obedient," to me same as saying - 'will be seen to be obedient'; and those not born again who profess to be can also appear obedient, but they will eventually cease, and those reborn never will cease. I think this should also answer to the truth that all who are reborn will eventually (as they mature in Christ) manifest it by their obedience; and if not or they cease, they've never been reborn.
 
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Zachary

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There is NO automatic guarantees after becoming born-again.
The BAC must learn that he/she has to co-operate with the precious Holy Spirit.
Positional sanctification alone ... gets the BAC nowhere.
Progressive sanctification towards holiness is critical for the BAC.
This is having the correct and acceptable heart attitude before the Lord.
All of the above is proven out by the fact that ...
BACs who are habitual sinners will be LOST unless they sincerely repent.
This is borne out by the many dire warnings in the NT about losing salvation.
Most of today's churches are complacent and fast asleep!
They need to wake up ... and get on board with God's program!
God's sheep are in danger of being devoured by wolves in sheep's clothing.
Sanctification is a process ... Salvation is a process ...
... the end result being determined at the end of one's life!
God's present-day prophets and watchmen have been screaming
these warnings for decades, but who is paying attention and heeding them?
All of these warnings simply echo and confirm the warnings in the NT.
True saving faith = enduring deep heart-felt belief
+ enduring trust in the Lord + enduring obedience
 
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Netchaplain

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There is NO automatic guarantees after becoming born-again.
Where can there be an absence of assurance in anything for those reborn?

The BAC must learn that he/she has to co-operate with the precious Holy Spirit.
To me the only cooperation there can be with God is that in yielding to Him as much as He works in us to do so (Phl 2:13). Being reborn, the believer has "all things that pertain unto life and godliness" (2Pe 1:3), which if only outwardly imitated will eventually cease, for only those reborn will continue to grow in manifesting the fruit of the Spirit and can never be separated from God. The Wolf may at times "devour" the joy of a believer, but never devour the believer!

Blessings!
 
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Zachary

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Where can there be an absence of assurance in anything for those reborn?
Where? ... Are you kidding?
Try the dozens of dire warnings in the NT.

How about, e.g. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil 2:12)

Jesus said to not fear man, but to fear God who can throw you into hell.
Please note:
The gospels (and the whole Bible) were written mostly for believers
(and not so much to unbelievers).

It's high time for you to wake up, and get with God's program.

A small excerpt from a recent message
from God to one of His prophets/watchmen:
"shepherds leading multitudes to hell".

Many of these are preaching "grace only", "easy grace", etc.
with NO responsibility or accountability for the BAC!
.
 
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Netchaplain

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Where? ... Are you kidding?
Try the dozens of dire warnings in the NT.

How about, e.g. "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil 2:12)
If this passage is interpreted to mean salvation is obtained by works, there are no Scriptural passages to support it. The proper meaning here is that salvation is shown by the works, i.e. work out of your salvation: "Work to show your salvation" NLT

Same for the meaning of James 2:24 "by works a man is justified." The word "justified" has two meanings: to make one righteous; to show one is righteous. Thus, the proper rendering is "by works a man is shown to be righteous." Because only Jesus can make one righteous. "We are shown to be right with God by what we do" (NLT).
 
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Netchaplain

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True believers will co-operate with the precious Holy Spirit
while He tries to sanctify them unto holiness!.
I see sanctification and holiness as the same attributes because at rebirth a believer is as holy and sanctified as they will ever be. Some see sanctification as some kind of process (of what I don't know), but there are no scriptural usages of this term to support this concept (one time event, as holiness is). I think it's often confused with "conforming" (Rom 8:29), which is ongoing until we leave here; and which is something the Spirit is doing with everyone reborn, thus are "being conformed" and not conforming, as though it is self-conformation, which requires the Spirit's work, not ours.
 
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Netchaplain

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True believers will co-operate with the precious Holy Spirit
while He tries to sanctify them unto holiness!

True believers acknowledge that they have their part to play in their salvation!

Some proof verses of this are found here ...
Believers stay righteous by practicing righteousness
.
I think we both have the same goal in putting God first. We just have different understandings concerning some Bible doctrine. Concerning sanctification and holiness, these are complete in us at rebirth as our being saved, for they do not admit in degrees. But learning to "walk in the Spirit" as we mature in Christ by "being conformed" (Rom 8:29) by Him is progressive.

Some see sanctification as a progressive work but there is no scriptural support for this concept because the term is always used in a one-time application sense, same for holiness, righteousness and justification; all of which is complete when we are saved during rebirth. The work of Christ's redemption in a soul is complete upon the reception of it, but the walk of the believer progressively matures in the image of the Lord Jesus, while we "grow up into Him in all things" (Eph 4:15).

Blessings!
 
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Zachary

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(one time event, as holiness is)
Congratulations! ... You continually succeed in boggling my mind.
Would you care to see a page full of NT verses,
which exhort believers to press on towards holiness, strive for holiness, etc. etc.?
Or, would you prefer that I send you an NT?

Actually, I apologize for reprimanding you ... for I should be evangelizing you!
.
 

Nancy

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If this passage is interpreted to mean salvation is obtained by works, there are no Scriptural passages to support it. The proper meaning here is that salvation is shown by the works, i.e. work out of your salvation: "Work to show your salvation" NLT

Same for the meaning of James 2:24 "by works a man is justified." The word "justified" has two meanings: to make one righteous; to show one is righteous. Thus, the proper rendering is "by works a man is shown to be righteous." Because only Jesus can make one righteous. "We are shown to be right with God by what we do" (NLT).

Amen. We work out what has already been worked inside of us...and the more the Spirit brightens in us, the more we see our own sin. So, a Christian should repent,and be so very grateful for what He has done for us, that "works" will come naturally, from the heart.
 
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farouk

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I think we both have the same goal in putting God first. We just have different understandings concerning some Bible doctrine. Concerning sanctification and holiness, these are complete in us at rebirth as our being saved, for they do not admit in degrees. But learning to "walk in the Spirit" as we mature in Christ by "being conformed" (Rom 8:29) by Him is progressive.

Some see sanctification as a progressive work but there is no scriptural support for this concept because the term is always used in a one-time application sense, same for holiness, righteousness and justification; all of which is complete when we are saved during rebirth. The work of Christ's redemption in a soul is complete upon the reception of it, but the walk of the believer progressively matures in the image of the Lord Jesus, while we "grow up into Him in all things" (Eph 4:15).

Blessings!
I think there is both the positional aspect of sanctification which comes with the new birth, and also the aspect as to one's daily condition, as the believer grows in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3). "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification" (1 Thessalonians 4.3).
 

farouk

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Amen. We work out what has already been worked inside of us...and the more the Spirit brightens in us, the more we see our own sin. So, a Christian should repent,and be so very grateful for what He has done for us, that "works" will come naturally, from the heart.
Yes, indeed; Ephesians 2.8-9 go together with Ephesians 2.10: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
 
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Netchaplain

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Would you care to see a page full of NT verses, which exhort believers to press on towards holiness, strive for holiness, etc. etc.?
Isn't the only "pressing" to do now for the believer toward being more like the Lord Jesus, by appropriating what we already possess in Him (1Pe 1:3). Also, if our communicating is beginning to bother you too much I would recommend a break.
 

Netchaplain

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Amen. We work out what has already been worked inside of us...and the more the Spirit brightens in us, the more we see our own sin. So, a Christian should repent,and be so very grateful for what He has done for us, that "works" will come naturally, from the heart.
Hi and thanks for your instructional reply! The phrase "work out" is as you say, similar to figuring out a math equation which has already been solved (work out of).

Blessings!
 
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