It was so wonderful spending time with your family! The word for this week is "righteous". We'll also cover righteousness. We'll be looking at these three Scriptures first: Romans 3:10, Romans 5:19 and James 5:16.
Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: KJV
Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. KJV
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. KJV
"Righteous" here is the Greek word "dikaios". Strong's Concordance says equitable in character; innocent; holy. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: one who is such as he ought to be; virtuous; faultless; guiltless; approved of God; acceptable to God. Romans 3:10 is the sure indication that we ALL need a personal Savior! On our own, we can never be righteous (Isaiah 64:6)! By Jesus being made sin with our sin, we have the right to be made righteous with His righteousness! This is the Greek word "dikaiosune". Strong's Concordance says: equity of character, justification. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: the state of him who is such as he ought to be; the way in which a man may attain to a state approved of God; integrity; virtue; purity of life; uprightness; correctness in thinking, feeling and acting. We can never reach this state without receiving Jesus as Lord and personal Savior. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says this:
21 For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. KJV
And Titus 3:4-5 says this:
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; KJV
So our new righteousness is of God and sets us in position to operate in the New Covenant as equal heirs with our righteous Savior (Romans 8:17)! One of the promises of righteousness is found above in James 5:16! The word avails, in reference to this verse in James, means: to have power, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon! When we, as righteous believers in Jesus, pray in line with the Word of God, we can KNOW without doubt that our prayers are answered (1 John 5:14-15)! Being made righteous with His righteousness give us the privilege and the right to stand in the presence of God as though we have never done anything wrong! Have a great week righteous man of God! Here is Hillsong Chapel with "Cornerstone":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
