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. Yet the Lord destroyed the 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. 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're all as an unclean thing, and our righteousnesses are as
filthy rags. And we all do fade as a leaf,
and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. He
regards all of the attempts of men at producing righteousness
to be as filthy rags. Man's righteousnesses are reprehensible
in the Lord's sight. 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, and 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 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 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 to 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 those for whom He has shed His precious blood. To be
partially covered is to be totally naked. Tis of one piece and wove
throughout, so curious wove that none can dress up in this seamless
coat till Jesus puts it on. Apart from this covering, they
shall fall. Thus Paul exhorts the Ephesians
to put on this whole armor. This is one word in the Greek.
It is used three times in the New Testament, twice here in
Ephesians and once when the Lord was accused of casting out devils
by the prince of devils. He said, when a strong man armed
keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace. But when a stronger
than he shall come upon him and overcome him, he taketh from
him all his armor wherein he trusted and divided his spoils. Those who walk in darkness are
indeed trusting in the armor of their flesh and are satisfied. Yet when he who is stronger is
come, he takes away that confidence, so that those whom he overcomes
are called to trust not in themselves, but in him. He is their armor
and their 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, take him the shield
of faith. He is our shield in exceeding great reward, wherewith
ye shall be able to quench all of the fiery darts of the wicked.
The fire darts 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 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.