Righteousness
When the Gentiles began believing in Yeshua, there was a great debate. Everyone asked the same questions:
February 23, 2025
When the Gentiles began believing in Yeshua, there was a great debate. Everyone asked the same questions:
Last week we said that faith might be very sincere, but it can also be sincerely wrong. God judges us on the content and object of our faith, not simply that we have faith.
Paul is careful to link the mouth and the heart. Words come easily, but without substance words have no lasting value.
Paul is careful to say that faith does not create God’s righteousness, but it is the means by which it can be received.
Many people, both Jews and Gentiles try very hard to become righteous through good works, study, and prayer. Sadly some people find it hard to understand and accept that righteousness comes only by grace through faith.
Paul used two words that come from the same “word group” but have slightly different meanings, both of which are important in these chapters. “Righteousness” focuses on character. “Justification” is mostly a legal term that means “acquittal (declared innocent) of guilt.
Last week we considered the word “end” in this verse. Today we’ll look at the word “righteousness.”Being “righteous” means to be virtuous, moral, aka a good citizen. In a spiritual sense it means ‘to be approved by God.”
Paul’s passion for his brethren of the flesh led him to pray for them. His passion for Yeshua led him to proclaim Him to them.
God’s wrath upon unbelieving Israel will be worse than anything she’s ever experienced. Thus it is crucial that we pray and share the offer of God’s mercy through faith.
Paul’s answer revealed that there would be a time when God’s patience would end for both the Jews and the Gentiles.
God has allowed Israel to go through very hard, even devastating times. But He has never forsaken her.
When many in Israel rejected Yeshua, God increased their spiritual blindness. Would that be the end to Israel’s unique relationship with God?
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