A large portion of the Old Testament is devoted to the Law of Moses and its practice. However, we are told that the Law cannot make anyone righteous (justified) before God (Galatians 2:16). So, what was the purpose of giving the Law and practicing the aspects of it if that did not gain favor with God? Let’s look at what the Apostle Paul wrote on this subject. Continue reading
Tag Archives: righteous
Doing What’s Right in the Eyes of God
Often it seems as though few in our culture know right from wrong anymore. I’m not speaking of knowing what is legal, but rather abiding by an absolute moral code, specifically the Bible.
When the United States was founded, the Bible was revered, church-going was normative, and nearly all of the people (including the vast majority of the founders) were Christian. It is no wonder that many of our founding documents contain principles from the Scriptures. Even those who would debate these facts would have to admit that the founding generation would be shocked at some of the behavior that is tolerated today. To them, most of us would be rude, crude, and socially unacceptable. We’re not totally devoid of our morals, but we are far from where we should be. Without a moral code, a people will drift aimlessly as the Jews did in the book of Judges.
Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. Continue reading
How God Justifies Sinners
Justification is a key doctrine in Christianity. The basic problem is: (1) all human beings are sinners and (2) God is holy and must judge sin. Justification has to do with how God justifies sinners (declares them to be righteous) so that they can be accepted by Him. The following is one of many verses that address this doctrine.
Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Continue reading