Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

RIGHTEOUSNESS: WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE

The apostle Paul wrote of the righteousness of the nation of Israel in his day. “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.” Romans 10:3. Two distinct forms of righteousness are mentioned here. What do they look like?

The righteousness which men establish is a righteousness born of sheer ignorance and rebellion. Aside from that, it is nasty. The ancient prophet Isaiah wrote of it, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” Isaiah 64:6. His reference to “Unclean” is a Hebrew word meaning “Defiled.” Then his reference to “Filthy Rags” is a Hebrew word specifically meaning stained cloths used for feminine hygiene, during menstruation periods. It may be somewhat shocking, but that is exactly how the very best works men stack up before God. Moreover, God is very frank in telling men this.

A number of years ago, my wife and I were with a corporate group in Austin, Texas for a workshop. They wanted to treat everyone to a nice dinner downtown. The restaurant also provided a number of musical and skit entertainments for customers. During one such skit the man reversed his jacket to reveal it was made of feminine hygiene products. Many thought it hilarious. My thinking was “Not fair!” none of those pieces have ever been used for their original purpose. Had that been the case, it would have been a perfect illustration of Isaiah 64:6

Thank the Lord, there is an acceptable righteous before God, that looks far different. It is the righteousness of Christ Jesus, Himself. It is imputed to every defiled member of the human race through repentance from sin, receiving Jesus as one’s sin substitute. The righteousness of Jesus the Christ does not admit the slightest blemish, but is without spot. When God the Father looks on a saved human being, He does not see his sinfulness, rather the complete righteousness of His only begotten Son!

Isaiah wrote descriptively of that righteousness in 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Repeatedly the righteousness of saints who are in Christ, meaning who are walking by faith in the faith once delivered to the saints, is described as “White raiment” both by Jesus in His personal ministry, and a number of times in the letters to the churches in Revelation 3-4.

FOR THOUGHT: Shall a vessel of clay argue with its potter? How much better both here and hereafter it is if the words of the Creator are taken to heart, and His acceptable righteousness chosen: bright, white, clean, and the only one God will accept. It comes by faith! Is it yours? It will be if

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