Seems much is being said about whether we as born-again Covenant believers in Christ are righteous, or that we have to perform works in our grace from God to continue to be righteous. As the apostle Paul said:
Romans 4:4-5 (KJV)
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.
Romans 11:5-6 (KJV)
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
It seems to me some believe they must work for their righteousness, or to stay righteous, but this means if it is by works that we remain righteous, then God has now been made in the image of man. God is Righteous. Christ is Righteous, and the Holy Spirit is Righteous. If we must work our righteousness then we are no longer saved, nor have we been saved. This is a Works-Gospel. Not a Gospel of Grace, but of Works.
Consider the Lord's own words:
John 3:3-12 (KJV)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John the Baptist echoes the same thing of verse 12:
John 3:27 (KJV)
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Are we as born-again believers in Covenant with God righteous, or do we have to practice and WORK our righteousness?
One more thing...
The kingdom of God is not a place or location, but a Person. Christ is the kingdom of God.
When you think of a kingdom you think of a king, subjects, a court, a castle, a location, all the typical furnishings of an earthly kingdom - even a heavenly one.
Matthew 12:28 (KJV)
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Question: What is Christ doing?
Answer: Casting out devils.
Jesus Christ is in effect saying HE IS the kingdom of God.
So what is [the] kingdom of God?
Paul and the Holy Spirit answer that for you:
Romans 14:17 (KJV)
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
If Christ says He is the kingdom of God, and a believer is born-again, then now the Holy Spirit resides/dwells in that believer then that believer is RIGHTEOUS due to the Presence of Christ in that individual. He/she is also at peace with God as opposed to the non-elect, non-Covenant, world who hate God and are in a state of hostility toward the Lord and King. We also are in joy. IF we are atoned, and we are, then we are righteous do to the atonement. IF we are not atoned, then the Holy Spirit could not reside/dwell within us and we are still in sin and unrighteous before God.
Do you also notice the Trinity in the above verse in Romans?
righteousness = the Father
peace = the Prince of Peace, the Son
joy = the Holy Spirit.
The kingdom of God is Christ in us and we are righteous because He is righteous.
A man or woman can receive nothing except it be given them from heaven.
Romans 4:4-5 (KJV)
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.
Romans 11:5-6 (KJV)
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
It seems to me some believe they must work for their righteousness, or to stay righteous, but this means if it is by works that we remain righteous, then God has now been made in the image of man. God is Righteous. Christ is Righteous, and the Holy Spirit is Righteous. If we must work our righteousness then we are no longer saved, nor have we been saved. This is a Works-Gospel. Not a Gospel of Grace, but of Works.
Consider the Lord's own words:
John 3:3-12 (KJV)
3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John the Baptist echoes the same thing of verse 12:
John 3:27 (KJV)
27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
Are we as born-again believers in Covenant with God righteous, or do we have to practice and WORK our righteousness?
One more thing...
The kingdom of God is not a place or location, but a Person. Christ is the kingdom of God.
When you think of a kingdom you think of a king, subjects, a court, a castle, a location, all the typical furnishings of an earthly kingdom - even a heavenly one.
Matthew 12:28 (KJV)
28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.
Question: What is Christ doing?
Answer: Casting out devils.
Jesus Christ is in effect saying HE IS the kingdom of God.
So what is [the] kingdom of God?
Paul and the Holy Spirit answer that for you:
Romans 14:17 (KJV)
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
If Christ says He is the kingdom of God, and a believer is born-again, then now the Holy Spirit resides/dwells in that believer then that believer is RIGHTEOUS due to the Presence of Christ in that individual. He/she is also at peace with God as opposed to the non-elect, non-Covenant, world who hate God and are in a state of hostility toward the Lord and King. We also are in joy. IF we are atoned, and we are, then we are righteous do to the atonement. IF we are not atoned, then the Holy Spirit could not reside/dwell within us and we are still in sin and unrighteous before God.
Do you also notice the Trinity in the above verse in Romans?
righteousness = the Father
peace = the Prince of Peace, the Son
joy = the Holy Spirit.
The kingdom of God is Christ in us and we are righteous because He is righteous.
A man or woman can receive nothing except it be given them from heaven.