" The LORD Our Righteousness "

 

Jeremiah 33:14-16  "Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will perform that good thing which I have promised unto the house of Israel and to the house of Judah. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the BRANCH of Righteousness to grow up unto David; and HE shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, THE LORD our RIGHTEOUSNESS."

     The importance of the truth of these four words -- "THE LORD Our RIGHTEOUSNESS" (v.16) -- cannot be overemphasized. If the LORD is not our righteousness, we have no righteousness at all. GOD's WORD says, "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6 pictured above) and "There is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:12). Notice the qualification for any who seek to claim this wonderful promise of GOD -- they must realize that the LORD alone is the source of all righteousness for HIS people: "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of ME, saith the LORD" (Isaiah 54:17).

     Is the LORD your righteousness ? If not, then you are lost. Good deeds, generous giving, church membership, water baptism, and the faithful observance of religious rites and rituals cannot provide salvation and forgiveness of sins. Sincerity is not enough either. Man's best efforts come short of GOD's glory (Romans 3:23 pictured above). But, the righteousness of the LORD is available as a free gift to anyone who will trust JESUS CHRIST as their personal SAVIOR, receiving GOD's substitutionary sacrifice as the required payment for sin (Romans 3:24 pictured above).

     The future glory of Israel set forth in our text depends entirely upon the LORD's righteousness, and the present and future blessing of believers is possible only because the LORD is our righteousness. JESUS CHRIST bore our sins, and HIS righteousness is imputed to us. We are "made the righteousness of GOD in HIM" (2nd.Corinthians 5:21 pictured above). Our standing is perfect before the LORD; we are complete in JESUS CHRIST (Colossians 2:10 pictured below). MHR

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

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