What’s in A Name? Everything! – Part 5
In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. Jeremiah 23:6
The name Jehovah-Tsidkenu: The Lord our righteousness, was given by God through Jeremiah, announcing the coming of Jesus the redeemer: ‘I will raise up a righteous descendant from King David’s line…And this will be his name: “The Lord Is Our Righteousness”’ (vv. 5-6). Before Jesus came, our righteousness lay in our own efforts. ‘We will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands…God has given us’ (Deuteronomy 6:25). We absolutely failed that righteousness test! But ‘The Lord our righteousness’ became our solution. ‘For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him’ (2 Corinthians 5:21). Notice: it’s only ‘in Jesus’ that we ‘become the righteousness of God’! You’re not to try to do right so you can feel righteous before God, or to generate a supply of good works to draw from when needed. You’re to draw continually from the ‘righteousness’ deposited in your account by Christ. It’s useless to look within yourself for humility, patience, kindness, love, etc. They’re not there! You must take them by faith from the supply stored up for you in Jesus. Guilty hearts can draw forgiveness, anxious spirits can draw peace, and weary souls can draw strength from Jehovah-Tsidkenu. You received salvation by faith alone. And in the same way you must draw righteousness, and everything else you need, by faith in what God has accomplished and stored up for your use in Jesus, The Lord our righteousness!
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me look to You for my righteousness and not in myself. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Tim, I have been reading your guiding and comforting words every morning for years. I haven’t always agreed with you, but you have always made me think spiritually first thing each morning. Thank-you for your great service in my life. Unfortunately, this post, Part 5, I completely disagree. We are children of God. Believing in Jesus is not a get out of jail card free. Each of us is still responsible and accountable for our thoughts, words and actions–especially to each other. God has already richly blessed us; it’s now our job to response appropriately.
Brad Bartholomew