INTRODUCTION
The previous mes sage explains the reign of Christ as the “light of the world”, characterized by the knowledge of salvation, believing on His name, walking in truth and in love, and the witness of the Holy Spirit.
This message examines the reign of righteousness under Jesus the ‘King of kings’. It explains the character of the reign and the dimensions of righteousness especially of doing the Mosaic Laws. It illustrates the standard of performance obedience as interpreted by Christ the King and highlights the difficulty of attaining own righteousness that matches that of a perfect God our Father, but for the faith of Jesus Christ.
1. THE CHARACTER OF THE REIGN IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
Sin and death by sin came upon the world by Adam’s disobedience to God. The reign of righteousness is the ultimate purpose of God to forgive and to deliver mankind from sin through the sacrifice of Jesus (Genesis 3:17-19; 6:5; Romans 5:12). He promised Abraham of His mercy to deliver His people from the enemy; and “to raise unto David a righteous branch and a King” whose reign shall execute judgement and justice in the earth. God’s purpose is to deliver His people that “we might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life”. (Jeremiah 23:5; Luke 1.68-75).
According to Isaiah the prophet, God’s righteous King is “a man [that]shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land”. (Psalm 72:1; Isaiah 9:7; 32:1-2). Jesus Christ is that ‘Man’ who reigns in righteousness and justice to afford all who believe protection, shelter, spiritual guidance to the blind, and strength to the weary.
His reign is characterized by understanding and knowledge in “truth” since “Grace and Truth” came by him. Also, under his rule, the heart of the foolish shall be equipped to see clearly, hear and understand the word of God and speak truthfully and plainly about godliness and justice. (John 1:14 &17; Isaiah 32:4)
Those that believe in Jesus and are truly his “sheep” shall rule in his kingdom and will be led in the paths of righteousness, because they submit to “hear his voice”; and they will not hear the voice of Satan to obey sin (John 10:3-4 &16; Psalm 23:3). Let us now examine the dimensions of righteousness relating to the Mosaic Law in the reign of Christ.
2. RIGHTEOUSNESS BY DOING THE MOSAIC LAWS
Jesus respected and upheld the laws of Moses as a medium of God’s righteousness on earth ordained for the Children of Israel. In his sermon on the mount he states that he had not come to destroy the law and the prophets, but to fulfill it; and that “one jot or one title shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled”.(Matthew 5:17-18).
2.1 God’s Concept of Righteousness by the Law
Let us consider some examples of God’s concept of righteousness within the spirit of the Judaic laws as explained by Jesus:
- to be angry with thy brethren without cause, you commit “killing”;
- One could commit adultery by looking on a woman to lust after her (as opposed to lying with her);
- the law on “an eye for an eye” means one should turn the other cheek also to be smitten (and not vengeance as often perceived);
- if one compels you to go a mile, go two miles (as opposed to striving);
- love not only your neighbour but Love your enemies, and bless them that curse you (and not as commonly understood to hate one’s enemy. (see Matthew 5:21- 47);
- “seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things [one’s basic needs] shall be added unto you.( Matthew 6:25) &33).
From Jesus’ interpretation of these laws one could observe the spirit behind the letter is to encourage one to abstain or avoid from evil, be a medium of God’s love and to seek peace and pursue it in an ungodly world. (Psalm 34:14; 1 Peter 3:11).
2.2 The Standard of Performance Obedience
According to Jesus whoever “shall break one” of these least commandments shall be called the “least in the kingdom of heaven”; whereas whoever shall do and teach them shall be called “great in the kingdom of heaven”. But he explains further that the standard of righteousness that is required to enter into the kingdom of heaven must “exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees”.(Matthew 5:19-20).
Brethren, consider that the Pharisees and scribes were the most religious sects in Israel. By many accounts however, they were deemed to be hypocritical, self-righteous, and woefully imperfect. For example, they omit to do the “weightier matters of the law, judgement, mercy and faith”; and outwardly, they appear righteous unto men, but are full of hypocrisy and iniquity within (Matthew 23:23 &28). Such conduct therefore runs counter to the righteous reign that God desires.
3. MATCHING A PERFECT GOD IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
The point Jesus is making here is that to be called ‘great’ in God’s kingdom or to enter therein one has to be “perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”. This is humanly impossible to achieve if we consider that if one breaks or transgresses one of the commandments he fails in all. (Matthew 5:48; 13:17).
His disciples were overwhelmed by the standard of perfection required to enter into the ‘kingdom of God’ upon a man’s own righteousness and so ask Jesus in another case saying “who then can be saved?”. He responded saying, “with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible”; (Matthew 19:25-26; Luke 18:26-27; Mark 10:26-27).
Indeed brethren, by His own “zeal” God has made possible his own standard of righteousness to be fulfilled in Christ, who came to fulfill the righteousness of the laws of Moses than to destroy it. Jesus therefore obtained a “great” name, which is above every name in heaven and in the earth. God has given His “king” (and his “son”) the reign over the earth to establish His new covenant in “judgement” and “justice” and in His righteousness. (Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 5:17; Philippians 2:9-10; Psalm 72:1; Jeremiah 31:33) .
Jesus the ‘King of kings’ brings to the world the mercy of God and the gift by grace that should justify many from the condemnation of sin, to serve God in holiness and in righteousness. His name shall be called “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” and all those who believe and confess him from the heart shall be made righteous by his faith. (Romans 5:15-16; Jeremiah 23:6; Romans 10:9-10).
4. FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Brethren God in his faithfulness has granted you mercy through Jesus His king on earth in order to sanctify you that you may serve him in holiness and righteousness and without fear.
Please be aware that, while the Mosaic Law is perfect, it does not enable perfection to God’s standard by one’s own endeavour or by feigned righteousness. But God has fulfilled all the Mosaic Laws in Jesus Christ, our Lord and saviour, and has given him to reign, and has called him OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS that you may claim righteousness through him. Hallelujah!
Finally, let your endeavour be not in seeking performance obedience to prove yourself worthy; rather let it be in avoiding evil, doing good, being a medium of love, seeking peace and pursuing it.
Next week by grace, we will continue to examine another dimension of righteousness in the reign pertaining to the righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ, without the law.
PRAYER
Almighty Father, thank you for your word and your righteousness to all thy children.
Lord Jesus wrap your redeemed in the cloak of your righteousness and lead them and guide them by your Spirit, as they endeavour to seek peace in a perverse world.
Dear Lord reveal the Love of the Father and your grace to our brethren whose hearts are hardened against your ways. Lead them in the paths of righteousness for your name’s sake.
I make this prayer in JESUS NAME. Have a Sabbath of peace!
Lots of Love, P. Schwartz (SOG) 24 November 2017.
