(1) INTRODUCTION
There is great debate on the word “Righteousness” around Christendom. On one hand, Christians are saying that the word “Righteousness” is referring to “Right Standing” alone. It has nothing to do with the conduct or action of the believers.
Of course, the other camp of Believers is saying that the word “Righteousness” is not just “Right Standing” alone. It is also about “Right Doing”, or the conduct of the believers. The good thing about the AMPC bible is that it gives further explanations on some keywords in brackets. Thus, it will be good to dig into the meaning of certain scriptures based on the AMPC bible.
(2) SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
Hence, in this part one of the studies of the word “Righteousness”, I would like to look at a few portions of the scripture in the AMPC bible:-
– Romans 6:16-19
– Philippians1:11
– 2 Timothy 3:16-17
Romans 6:16-19 AMPC:-
16 Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to RIGHTEOUSNESS (RIGHT DOING and RIGHT STANDING with God)?
17 But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.
18 And having been set free from sin, you have become the servants of RIGHTEOUSNESS (of conformity to the divine will in thought, purpose, and ACTION).
19 I am speaking in familiar human terms because of your natural limitations. For as you yielded your bodily members [and faculties] as servants to impurity and ever-increasing lawlessness, so now yield your bodily members [and faculties] once for all as servants to RIGHTEOUSNESS (RIGHT BEING and DOING) [which LEADS] to sanctification. (Romans 6:16-19)Philippians 1:11 AMPC:-
11 May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of RIGHTEOUSNESS (of RIGHT STANDING with God and RIGHT DOING) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognized]. (Philippians 1:11)
2 Timothy 4:7-8 AMPC
7 I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith.
8 [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of RIGHTEOUSNESS [for being RIGHT WITH GOD and DOING RIGHT ], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return). (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Obviously that the word “Righteousness” is not just referring to “Righting Standing” alone. Certainly, some root words of the word “Righteousness” are referring to “Righting Standing”. But some are referring to “Right Standing and Right Doing”.
(3) IN A NUTSHELL
In a nutshell, when believers accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, God gives them the “Right Standing”, to “Do Right” before Him. Complete salvation needs believers’ “RIGHT DOING”, bearing fruits to enter into His Kingdom.
Based on Romans 6:19, Christians can yield themselves to impurity living, and be enslaved to it. It is only for those who yield themselves to “Right Being and Doing”, that leads to sanctification.
Sanctification is not a one-off event. It has to be continuing to subject themselves to right doing. Personal conduct has an effect on sanctification.
Lastly, Paul in 2 Timothy 4:18, declares “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. Indirectly, Paul is pointing out that faith needs to fight and be kept.… it is not just reciting a sinner’s prayer once; no evidence of conduct/ fruit.
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AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD
