Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of Morsels for Zion's Poor. The common thought of man
is to equate righteousness and morality. Thus it is quite common
for men to make various judgments of the suitability of the behaviors
of other men based upon what they judge to be righteous conduct.
When they discover this moral acceptability, then they consider
that such men are righteous, and where they don't, they deem
such to be unrighteous. The Pharisees were just such
a people. To say that the Scriptures do not set forth a basis or standard
of morality which men imperil themselves to disregard would
be an error. Yet to consider that a man could
be deemed righteous by an adherence to this standard of morality
would be a more egregious error than to disregard this standard
and live unto his own lusts. A man may be delivered from the
wicked works of his mind which sets him at odds with his Creator,
but there is no deliverance for the man who considers his own
or others' conduct to be found pleasing unto the Lord. This
is vividly illustrated in the Lord's parable concerning the
two men who went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee stood and
prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee that I am not as
other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as
this publican. I fast twice in the week. I give
tithes of all that I possess." He reeled off quite an impressive
list of accomplishments and seemed, in his own mind at least, to
have avoided many of the pitfalls which befell those less righteous
than himself. Such men are sure that they have
done what is required of them, and therefore in their own mind
do stand in a place of righteousness when compared with others of
lesser achievement. The publican, on the other hand,
could not escape the knowledge that he had fallen woefully short
of all that was required of him, and could find no place of standing
before the Lord. And the publican, standing afar
off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but
smote upon his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner. The Lord said that he was justified
while the Pharisee was not. Thus we learn that righteousness
and morality are not synonymous, nor can one define the other.
The Lord alone can judge a man to be righteous. The basis upon
which he does so is by imputing the perfect righteousness of
Jesus Christ to those whom he loves. The Lord taught his disciples
about the difficulty of those who are rich in this world's
goods, be it gold and silver or morality, of leaving those
things behind to gain the kingdom of God. He said that with men
such things are not possible, but with him all things are possible. For it is he who confers righteousness,
and not that belonging to those to whom he imputes it according
to his sovereign purpose. Saul of Tarsus was a man full
of his own righteousness, and was zealous in his service to
the Lord. It was only as the Lord stripped away his self-glorying
that he was caused to cry out, Who art thou, Lord? When the
righteousness of Christ is revealed, those whom the Lord awakens to
behold it can make no claims of their own righteousness and
must, as the publican, cry out for mercy. Paul looked upon that
which he once rejoiced in and counted it all as garbage. circumcised
the eighth day of the stock of Israel of the tribe of Benjamin,
and Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the law of Pharisee,
concerning zeal, persecuting the church, touching the righteousness
which is of the law, blameless. But what things were gained to
me, those I counted lost for Christ. Yea, doubtless, that
I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge
of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss
of all things, and do count them but done that I may win Christ. Thus we see him expressing the
voice of rejoicing and salvation. The Word of God is sharper than
any two-edged sword, and pierces hearts when the Lord wields it
with power. Paul says, Wherefore, the law was our schoolmaster
to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
The work of the law is a necessary one due to the innate sin of
men, but it cannot minister hope or help to the sons of God. The
purpose of the law was in bringing repentance, which is not an end
in itself, but rather has its perfect work in bringing the
sons of God to rejoice in the righteousness of Christ. He is
our salvation. Where else can the joy of God's
people be found but in Him who has brought life and immortality
to light in the gospel? Cannot all of the sons of God
now say, the right hand of the Lord doeth valiantly? Salvation
is of the Lord. We will rejoice and be glad in
it. Do you rejoice in the righteousness of Christ or are you satisfied
with your morality? For a free CD containing 15 of
these radio broadcasts, send an email to forthepoor at windstream.net.