Righteousness rescues from death

Believers, consider Proverbs 11:4- "Riches will not provide security in the day of wrath and judgment, But righteousness rescues from death."

Certainly, righteousness is key to escaping the wrath of God! But how do we attain this righteousness that rescues from death? Definitely not by doing our best to obey the Ten Commandments or other works of the law as many who profess Christ believe. The righteousness that rescues from death is not the righteousness of self (self-righteousness) that proceeds from trying to keep the law, paying tithe or sowing seed. Romans 3:20 show us the futility of trying to be righteous by doing what the law commands:

"For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are."

Trying to keep the law to get right with God is also the sure-fire way to get cut off from Christ as we see in Galatians 5:4-

"For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace."

Plus Isaiah 64:6 describes all of our righteousnesses as a menstrual rag in God's sight- "We are all like one who is unclean, all our so-called righteous acts are like a menstrual rag in Your sight."

All of our law-keeping, obedience, charitable deeds, tithes and offering, whatever good works, if done in a bid to attain right-standing with God or earn a place in heaven, are like menstruation rags to Him!

So what to do in light of "Riches will not provide security in the day of wrath and judgment, But righteousness rescues from death." How do we attain this righteousness that is so crucial to our salvation from God's wrath? There is a better Way and His name is Jesus Christ. See His finished work in making the sinner who believes righteous and saving all who believe from wrath in Romans 5:9-

"And there is still much more to say of His unfailing love for us! For through the blood of Jesus we have heard the powerful declaration, “You are now righteous in My sight.” And because of the sacrifice of Jesus, you will never experience the wrath of God."

Believer, this is the ONLY way to escape wrath and judgment. Romans 5:19 says- "By one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous."

We are made righteous before God by "one Man's obedience," Christ's, and not our puny efforts at obeying the law or doing what the law commands. This is the crux of the gospel: Righteousness by faith in Christ. This is Grace- undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour.

But does this mean that we are now free to go on sinning sprees? Certainly not! Grace is the Way out of sin. The more you try to obey the law to get right with God, the more sins you will commit! How come? See the logic of our salvation in Romans 6:14-

"For sin shall not have dominion over you for you are not under law but under Grace."

Only when we receive God's abundance of Grace and His gift of righteousness do we get to live in triumph over sin and death (all earthly ills are "death begun".) See Romans 5:17-

"For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and His gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one Man, Jesus Christ."

Not our own righteousness that comes from keeping the law and doing good things (they are filthy rags according to Isaiah 64:6) but God's righteousness that is given to all who believe as a gift. Right living is not a CONDITION for salvation; it is the EVIDENCE of our salvation in Christ.

When we seek His righteousness and not ours, "all these things shall be added unto you." We get to live right, live in triumph over sin and escape wrath and judgment. This is the message of Christ: Grace- undeserved, unearned, unmerited favour.

Believe Right and you will Live Right