Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The rich young ruler is
a good example of the average religious man. He was morally
upright and seeking to be in an outward conformity to the
precepts of God. He expressed his belief that
he was a keeper of the law. The Lord destroyed the very foundation
of this young man as he pointed out how far he was from measuring
up to the standard of righteousness which the Lord demands, which
is perfection. The Lord did not deny that he
had kept the law, yet his law keeping was of no use in the
Lord's kingdom. Many similar religious men feel
that they can gain the Lord's favor by walking in obedience
to his precepts. Yet he overturned that notion
when he said, So when ye shall have done all those things which
ye are commanded to do, say, We are unprofitable servants.
We have done that which was our duty to do. Let that man who
thinks that he may find acceptance with the Lord by his deeds of
faith and obedience read the Lord's assessments of all of
man's righteousnesses. But we are all as an unclean
thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags, and we all
do fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us
away. Everyone knows that sin is hated
by the Lord, yet He regards even the greatest attempts of men
at producing righteousness to be as filthy rags. Man's righteousnesses
are reprehensible in the Lord's sight as the greatest wickedness
of his heart. The reason for this rejection
is to demonstrate the absolute necessity of the perfections
which dwell in the Redeemer of sinners. He told His disciples
that He is the way, the truth, and the life, that no man could
come to the Father except it be by Him. His glory is manifested
as He was tempted in all points like as we are, yet He had no
sin. He alone could be the Redeemer,
and to accept any partial obedience would be to count the blood of
Christ to be an unnecessary offering. When the psalmist asked the question,
who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, or who shall stand
in his holy place? He only had one man in mind,
for there has never been but one who is described in his answer.
He that hath clean hands and a pure heart, who hath not lifted
up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully, he shall receive
the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of
his salvation. Christ alone is the righteousness
of God. and subsequently the only righteousness
which the people of God possess. Partial righteousness is total
wickedness. Christ alone is the recipient
of all of the Father's blessings, and only those who are completely
hidden in Him shall escape the wrath to come. Thus Paul exhorts
the people of God, put on the whole armor of God. There are
no degrees of being found clothed in the righteousness of Christ.
Nothing less than his righteousness will be accepted in the kingdom
of God. Any righteousness which is not his, and all who stand
in such, shall surely be cast into the lake of fire, prepared
for those whose names are not written in the book of life.
The Lord has provided a covering for all of those for whom He
has shed His precious blood. To be partially covered is to
be totally naked. Not only does He provide a covering
which shields His people from the condemnation of the law,
but also protects them in the day of battle, as the flesh lusts
against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh. Apart from
this covering, they shall fail. Thus Paul exhorts the children
of God in all ages to put on this whole armor. When Christ
comes, He takes away that confidence of those He overcomes, causing
them to trust not in themselves, but in Him. He is their armor
and armor-bearer. Stand therefore, having your
loins girt about with truth. Christ is the truth. Having on
the breastplate of righteousness, He is the righteousness of His
elect. And your feet shod with the preparation
of the gospel of peace. He is our peace. Above all, taking
the shield of faith, He is our shield and exceeding great reward.
Wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of
the wicked. The fired arts of Satan's and our conscience's
condemnation are quenched in the blood of Christ, and take
the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the Word of God. Christ is the lifter up of our
heads, for our redemption draweth nigh. He is the shield and sword
of his people, and he is mighty in battle. His own arm has gotten
him the victory. In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Are you clad
in this armor of God? Nothing less will protect you
and preserve you until the end. For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.