"through which, his precious and great promises, he has granted to us that through these you may become partakers of divine nature, having
escaped the world in sinful decay."1
We see the promise being fulfilled of inheritance, "a new heaven, and a new earth according to his promise we are waiting in which righteousness dwells."2 We also see righteousness and the concept of working out our salvation. Righteousness is a free gift in Christ, think of it like the seed of truth which produces faith, it is planted and must be grown. It begins with being partakers of His divine nature and it continues as we grow in knowledge of the Son of God, as we are becoming like Him.
"if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise."3
The covenant previously established by God was not revoked by the Law, which was added because of sin until "the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred."4 God "announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” Living under the Law one was cursed, and judged by the standard of the Law, if you break one bit, you break it all. The law is not based on faith, nor does it perfect one in righteousness. "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."14
"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."15
The Holy Spirit, is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Such says we are His children and are being perfected into His divine nature until we require the full measure of it, the redemption of our bodies. Though perfect in Spirit, born of Spirit, we are not fully perfect, the promise is of a world that will be without sin, as for now we live in a cursed world, in a body where sin dwells. The carnal mind can't subject itself to God, it must be renewed in spirit.
All are born into the sinful nature because of the one man Adam, but through the Righteous One, those who receive the gift of righteousness partake of His divine nature. It is birthed within them, and they delight inwardly in God's laws and have become slaves to righteousness, though sin in the flesh doesn't disappear, it must be put to death through the Spirit, transformation, sanctification... Those of the world are slaves to the flesh, to sin and will receive its fully grown fruit; death. Those of the Spirit, of His divine nature, are slaves to righteousness, these will receive its fully grown fruit; Life.
"as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness unto life eternal through Jesus Christ."3
Paul writes we will reign, have dominion, or rule over sin and death not under the Law, but under grace. So the question is asked how does one reign under grace? by the free gift of righteousness, "grace might reign through righteousness."3 Paul writes we grow in the knowledge of the Son of God, in discernment and purity, "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ."5 The fruit of righteousness is trust and rest. We are given a measure of faith and it is being perfected, being fully confident, or grown it produces fruit. So is our purity or sanctification, the seed of righteousness is grown to produce fruit of righteousness.
"What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?"16
Is there an obedience that leads to righteousness? Paul writes righteousness is a free gift and it is received by faith. Now, faith is not by works that it be according to grace. Jesus is the author of faith and said believing is the work of God. Paul writes faith is a fruit of the Spirit. John writes, "this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ."15 Therefore the obedience that leads to righteousness is to obey the command to believe in Jesus. Paul writes even repentance is the will of God.16 So how am I righteous? What must I do to be saved? Jesus is the author of salvation, those who trust in Him will not be disappointed.
"But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed."17
It is amazing what obstacles men put before a child, you must do this and do that... What is at the core of legalism? "For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness."14 The Pharisee is dangerous, he makes disciples seven times worse tham himself. Paul writes we were formally slaves of sin, now we are slaves of righteousness, of His divine nature. If you have disobedient children what is the problem? are they partakers of His divine nature? have they "wholeheartedly obeyed" or most likely the teacher is the issue? they have no "form of teaching" to commit to. Maybe all they see is those who "lord" over them demanding obedience without a relationship; of trust and unconditional love.
When one believes they are born of Spirit, they have partaken of His divine nature. Why do men put stumbling blocks before children of God? Jesus tells a parable of a farmer planting seeds and that night, when no one is looking, the enemy plants weeds, tare among the wheat. Of course we see in the parable of sowing the purpose of the weeds, to choke out the wheat seedling, to inhibit their growth so that they do not bear much fruit. Those who hear and receive with joy will bear some fruit, but it is those who grow in understanding that bear much fruit. The fruit of righteousness sown in peace produces trust and rest, so doctrines that inhibit or destroy trust, are not of God.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."24
Notice, faith is a fruit of the Spirit. Such makes sense as we remember what Jesus said to Peter after his confession, that such revelation did not come by his own doing but it was revealed to him by the Spirit. Faith starts as a measure given when we hear the gospel, a tiny mustard seed and it is developed, grown over time, until it becomes fully grown or fully convincing, as Abraham was, being strengthened in faith.20 Thus the seed has been planted in us and now it is being worked out. James writes peacemakers, whom Jesus said are the children of God, these sow righteousness in peace and reap the fruit.7
Like faith, righteousness is a seed sown, thus properly grown and nurtured, will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. We in the Church tend to focus on behavior, or the fruit, we establish rules, principles, traditions that punish the behavior. We teach our children to replace it with good behavior or "good works," without a focus on relationship and building trust. Of course it is true statement, more is caught than taught. When you focus on the external what you get is like the tree Jesus pointed out, a tree that looks like a fig tree but doesn't produce figs.
"But at that time, not knowing God, you were subject to that nature not being gods."16
We were subject to, enslaved by, the sinful nature of the flesh. You can't beat sin out of someone. The Law exposed sin, defined it as sin, but it could not perfect men unto righteousness because of the weakness of the flesh. Judah, under warning of judgment and after seeing the complete destruction of her sister cities Sodom and Gomorrah still disobeyed God. If that is not a lesson for us today, I do not know what is, fear and condemnation doesn't perfect a person into righteousness. But as they say, what we learn from history is that we do not learn from history. Conformation of the sinful nature produces the religious Pharisee, the externally clean internally dirty, unrighteousness person. We must be partakers of His divine nature.
"For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."17
Righteousness is a free gift we receive in Christ, it is by faith that it be according to grace, so we do not boast but give glory to God. The gift of the trespass caused death to reign, to all mankind but where sin increased "the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many."15 The free gift doesn't produce fruit like the other, judgment and condemnation, no, the free gift following many trespasses brought justification and righteousness. The seed of righteousness is sown in peace, planted and grown, to bear fruit of trust and rest, not doubt and toil.
"For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous."19
Because of Adam's disobedience we all received condemnation, such seems a little unjust being born into sin. But it was God's plan to send the Righteous One as an atonement for sin. Now, what obedience made me righteous? "one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men." Whose obedience made me righteous? it was the obedience of Christ. So we see believing is truly the work of God, it is a gift from God. Is taking a gift obedience? Now, imagine someone demanding that you take a gift, using fear, condemnation, guilt, or shame to get you to take it, can we now call it a gift? it loses its value for sure. From the riches of His grace and of His glory we receive many blessings in Christ, it is spectacular, that we are partakers of His divine nature.
I Have This Hope
We see the promise being fulfilled of inheritance, "a new heaven, and a new earth according to his promise we are waiting in which righteousness dwells."2 We also see righteousness and the concept of working out our salvation. Righteousness is a free gift in Christ, think of it like the seed of truth which produces faith, it is planted and must be grown. It begins with being partakers of His divine nature and it continues as we grow in knowledge of the Son of God, as we are becoming like Him.
"if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise."3
The covenant previously established by God was not revoked by the Law, which was added because of sin until "the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred."4 God "announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” Living under the Law one was cursed, and judged by the standard of the Law, if you break one bit, you break it all. The law is not based on faith, nor does it perfect one in righteousness. "He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit."14
"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory."15
The Holy Spirit, is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. Such says we are His children and are being perfected into His divine nature until we require the full measure of it, the redemption of our bodies. Though perfect in Spirit, born of Spirit, we are not fully perfect, the promise is of a world that will be without sin, as for now we live in a cursed world, in a body where sin dwells. The carnal mind can't subject itself to God, it must be renewed in spirit.
All are born into the sinful nature because of the one man Adam, but through the Righteous One, those who receive the gift of righteousness partake of His divine nature. It is birthed within them, and they delight inwardly in God's laws and have become slaves to righteousness, though sin in the flesh doesn't disappear, it must be put to death through the Spirit, transformation, sanctification... Those of the world are slaves to the flesh, to sin and will receive its fully grown fruit; death. Those of the Spirit, of His divine nature, are slaves to righteousness, these will receive its fully grown fruit; Life.
"as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness unto life eternal through Jesus Christ."3
Paul writes we will reign, have dominion, or rule over sin and death not under the Law, but under grace. So the question is asked how does one reign under grace? by the free gift of righteousness, "grace might reign through righteousness."3 Paul writes we grow in the knowledge of the Son of God, in discernment and purity, "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ."5 The fruit of righteousness is trust and rest. We are given a measure of faith and it is being perfected, being fully confident, or grown it produces fruit. So is our purity or sanctification, the seed of righteousness is grown to produce fruit of righteousness.
"What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?"16
Is there an obedience that leads to righteousness? Paul writes righteousness is a free gift and it is received by faith. Now, faith is not by works that it be according to grace. Jesus is the author of faith and said believing is the work of God. Paul writes faith is a fruit of the Spirit. John writes, "this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ."15 Therefore the obedience that leads to righteousness is to obey the command to believe in Jesus. Paul writes even repentance is the will of God.16 So how am I righteous? What must I do to be saved? Jesus is the author of salvation, those who trust in Him will not be disappointed.
"But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed."17
It is amazing what obstacles men put before a child, you must do this and do that... What is at the core of legalism? "For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness."14 The Pharisee is dangerous, he makes disciples seven times worse tham himself. Paul writes we were formally slaves of sin, now we are slaves of righteousness, of His divine nature. If you have disobedient children what is the problem? are they partakers of His divine nature? have they "wholeheartedly obeyed" or most likely the teacher is the issue? they have no "form of teaching" to commit to. Maybe all they see is those who "lord" over them demanding obedience without a relationship; of trust and unconditional love.
When one believes they are born of Spirit, they have partaken of His divine nature. Why do men put stumbling blocks before children of God? Jesus tells a parable of a farmer planting seeds and that night, when no one is looking, the enemy plants weeds, tare among the wheat. Of course we see in the parable of sowing the purpose of the weeds, to choke out the wheat seedling, to inhibit their growth so that they do not bear much fruit. Those who hear and receive with joy will bear some fruit, but it is those who grow in understanding that bear much fruit. The fruit of righteousness sown in peace produces trust and rest, so doctrines that inhibit or destroy trust, are not of God.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."24
Notice, faith is a fruit of the Spirit. Such makes sense as we remember what Jesus said to Peter after his confession, that such revelation did not come by his own doing but it was revealed to him by the Spirit. Faith starts as a measure given when we hear the gospel, a tiny mustard seed and it is developed, grown over time, until it becomes fully grown or fully convincing, as Abraham was, being strengthened in faith.20 Thus the seed has been planted in us and now it is being worked out. James writes peacemakers, whom Jesus said are the children of God, these sow righteousness in peace and reap the fruit.7
Like faith, righteousness is a seed sown, thus properly grown and nurtured, will grow up to bear fruit of righteousness. We in the Church tend to focus on behavior, or the fruit, we establish rules, principles, traditions that punish the behavior. We teach our children to replace it with good behavior or "good works," without a focus on relationship and building trust. Of course it is true statement, more is caught than taught. When you focus on the external what you get is like the tree Jesus pointed out, a tree that looks like a fig tree but doesn't produce figs.
"But at that time, not knowing God, you were subject to that nature not being gods."16
We were subject to, enslaved by, the sinful nature of the flesh. You can't beat sin out of someone. The Law exposed sin, defined it as sin, but it could not perfect men unto righteousness because of the weakness of the flesh. Judah, under warning of judgment and after seeing the complete destruction of her sister cities Sodom and Gomorrah still disobeyed God. If that is not a lesson for us today, I do not know what is, fear and condemnation doesn't perfect a person into righteousness. But as they say, what we learn from history is that we do not learn from history. Conformation of the sinful nature produces the religious Pharisee, the externally clean internally dirty, unrighteousness person. We must be partakers of His divine nature.
"For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ."17
Righteousness is a free gift we receive in Christ, it is by faith that it be according to grace, so we do not boast but give glory to God. The gift of the trespass caused death to reign, to all mankind but where sin increased "the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many."15 The free gift doesn't produce fruit like the other, judgment and condemnation, no, the free gift following many trespasses brought justification and righteousness. The seed of righteousness is sown in peace, planted and grown, to bear fruit of trust and rest, not doubt and toil.
"For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous."19
Because of Adam's disobedience we all received condemnation, such seems a little unjust being born into sin. But it was God's plan to send the Righteous One as an atonement for sin. Now, what obedience made me righteous? "one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men." Whose obedience made me righteous? it was the obedience of Christ. So we see believing is truly the work of God, it is a gift from God. Is taking a gift obedience? Now, imagine someone demanding that you take a gift, using fear, condemnation, guilt, or shame to get you to take it, can we now call it a gift? it loses its value for sure. From the riches of His grace and of His glory we receive many blessings in Christ, it is spectacular, that we are partakers of His divine nature.
I Have This Hope