Fruits of Righteousness
By
J.M. Beatty
Lesson One
Imputed Or Revealed Righteousness
The Church today is filled with considerable doctrinal debate about the righteousness of Christ and it's influence in our lives. Let's also consider this issue. What is the righteousness of Christ? What influence will it have on us today?
Imputed Righteousness
2 Cor 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (KJV)
Jesus was made to be sin for us that His righteousness could be imputed to all who receive His gift of salvation. We have legal authority to stand before God, because of the righteousness of Christ that was imputed to us (Rom 4:11, 22-24; 5:13; James 2:23).
imputed = logizomai(log-id'-zom-ahee/3049); middle voice from 3056; to take an inventory, i.e. estimate (literally or figuratively): KJV-- conclude, (ac-) count (of), + despise, esteem, impute, lay, number, reason, reckon, suppose, think (on).
logizomai -Thayer’s Greek/English Lexicon
1) to reckon, to count, to compute, to calculate, to count over
a) to take into account, to make an account of
1) metaphorically, to pass to one's account, to impute
2) a thing is reckoned as or to be something, that is, as availing for or equivalent to something, as having the like force and weight
b) to number among, to reckon with c) to reckon, to account
2) to reckon inward, to count up or weigh the reasons, to deliberate
3) by reckoning up all the reasons, to gather, to infer
a) to consider, to take into account, to weigh, to meditate on b) to suppose, to deem, to judge
c) to determine, purpose, decide
The Greek word “Logizomai” clearly teaches that the righteousness of Christ was posted to our account. Simply stated, the righteousness of Christ is implanted into every soul that turns to Christ. Much can be said about the authority the Christian has in Christ because of this impartation.
God’s Divine DNA
2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (KJV)
Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. (KJV)
The imputed righteousness of Christ is much more than God having a favorable opinion. The righteousness of Christ is the divine nature of Jesus; it’s the measure of faith received at new birth.
We have resident in us a deposit of God's divine nature. We might associate God's divine nature to spiritual DNA. The DNA code of His divine nature has total redemptive power, and it has a mission and purpose in the covenant of the New Testament. The will of God is part of His divine DNA code. Coded into God’s divine DNA are the fruits of righteousness that will transform our lives. All that we can be in God is coded into His divine DNA.
Should we desire to know the will of God then we must allow His divine DNA to mature and influence our lives. This type of maturing process can only occur through obedience and intimate relationship with God. These verses of scripture also indicate that revelation is the key to allowing the divine nature to influence our lives.
Let’s pose two questions. Since we are the beneficiaries of such a great gift as Christ’s righteousness, then why are we such a frustrated group of believers? Where is the power of this imputed righteousness?
Awake to Righteousness
1 Cor 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame (KJV)
The Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian church that it was necessary for them to awake to the righteousness of Christ within them. He admonished them to turn from their sinful ways, and allow their imputed righteousness to change their lives.
This concept creates for us a paradox. Christian doctrine taught in the church today indicates that the righteousness of Christ is our natural Christian birthright. The doctrine also teaches that the authority and power of this righteousness is open to every saint. In order to exercise this power we must understand the doctrine concerning our legal rights as Christians. The paradox is simply this.
How can we exercise the power and authority of righteousness without going through the awakening process?
Spiritual Drunkenness
awake = eknepho (ek-nay'-fo/1594); from 1537 and 3525; (figuratively) to rouse (oneself) out of stupor: KJV-- awake.
eknepho - (Thayer's Greek/English Lexicon )
1) to return to oneself from drunkenness, to become sober
2) metaphorically, to return to soberness of mind
When we examine the Greek word for “Awake”, we discover the application is not associated with normal sleeping patterns. However, it has the application of a person being awaken out of a state of drunkenness into a sobriety of mind. There is an implied truth in this definition; spiritual drunkenness frustrates the manifestation of righteousness in our lives.
What is Spiritual Drunkenness?
Luke 21:34-36 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. (35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. (36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. (KJV)
Rom 13:12-14 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (13) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.
These scriptures teach that spiritual drunkenness is:
- World Conformity: Spiritual drunkenness is being consumed with the cares and lusts of this world, and seeking world acceptance and identification. The cancer in the Body of Christ today is world conformity.
Our church programs are patterned after world agendas. We must appeal to the carnal comforts of our congregations in order to maintain an economic cash flow and balance. Simply stated, the church today appears to the world to be “unchanged” men robed in the garments of doctrinal religion (1Cor 3:3 AB).
- Sensuality: Sensuality is much more than normal human lust; the root of all sensuality is self-gratification. In the typical Christian, sensuality manifests itself in the spiritual comfort zone that surrounds us.
We come to church expecting the ministers to exhort our children and us. The music must be right, the sermon must inspire, the pews must be soft, the heat and air conditioning must operate properly, and the ministers must not challenge our spiritual comfort. (1Cor 2:14 AB)
Simply stated, spiritual drunkenness is many things, but world conformity and self-gratification are it's two main roots. Christians must realize that our love for our comfort and for the things of this world is frustrating our ability to awaken to Christ’s imputed righteousness within us.
We honestly don't realize the risks we are taking by pampering our lusts and self-indulgence. Our spiritual drunkenness is robbing us of our ability to stand before the Son of Man, and escape the horrors that are coming on the earth (Luke 21:34-36).
Spiritual Sobriety
1Thes 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation (KJV)
Spiritual sobriety is the opposite of spiritual drunkenness. It's a seriousness of mind and purpose; it's the discipline of Christ being walked out in our lives. Our ability to put on the armor of God is directly connected to our spiritual sobriety.
The armor of God, presented in Romans 13:12-14, 2Corinthians 6:7, and Ephesians 6:11-18, is put in place in our lives only through consistent prayer. Memorizing these references is profitable as a doctrinal resource, but does not make their principles a reality in our lives. The armor of God is much more than doctrine we memorize, it's our spiritual welfare; we must realize the importance of being sober before the Lord.
1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Again, we have the confirmation that consistent prayer is vital to our spiritual sobriety.
1 Pet 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (9) Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (KJV)
We have an enemy who presents himself to the world as a “Roaring Lion”. His whole mission and purpose is to roam about the world seeking souls who may be devoured. Ephesians 4:27 clearly warns us not to give place to the devil; therefore we can conclude that the devil can only take place to the degree we give him place. Our spiritual drunkenness is the open door to Satan to devour our souls in these areas. Peter infers that our Christian duty has three avenues of expression when resisting the devil.
- To Be Sober: To be sober, and to govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance, modesty, and mortification.
- To Be Vigilant: To be suspicious of constant danger from this spiritual enemy, and, under that apprehension, to be watchful and diligent to prevent his designs and save our souls.
- To Resist Him Steadfast In The Faith: “It was the faith of these people that Satan aimed at; if he could overturn their faith, and draw them into apostasy, then he knew he should gain his point, and ruin their souls; therefore, to destroy their faith, he raises bitter persecutions, and sets the grand potentates of the world against them. This strong trial and temptation they must resist, by being well-grounded, resolute, and steadfast in the faith: to encourage them to this,” (Matthew Henry's Commentary)
Revealed Righteousness
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith (KJV)
Paul, the Apostle, in his epistle to the Romans, provides the answer to our paradox. There is a great difference between the imputed righteousness and the revealed righteousness. Let's examine the Greek word used for “revealed”, it will provide us clear insight into the principle of awakening to Christ’s righteousness within us.
reveal = apokalupto(ap-ok-al-oop'-to/601); from 575 and 2572; to take off the cover, i.e. disclose: KJV-- reveal.
apokalupto - (Thayer’s Greek/English Lexicon)
1) to uncover, to lay open what has been veiled or covered up, to disclose, to make bare
2) to make known, to make manifest, to disclose what before was unknown
To remove the cover from an item is to expose it's hidden contents. During birthdays and at Christmas we joyfully take our gifts and remove the wrapping cover to expose there hidden contents. Ponder for a moment the possibility that our imputed righteousness is the hidden contents within our spiritual person. Does the fact that Christ’s righteousness is hidden diminish its power and ability to redeem, transform, and save? NO! A hundred times no! However, the fact still remains, our imputed righteousness is hidden in us, and it's our responsibility to allow the Holy Spirit to remove the cover and allow Christ to be revealed in our lives.
Now we come to the crux of the matter.
What is the thing in our lives that veils our imputed righteousness?
Lesson Two
Carnal Mind
Carnal Mind
Rom 8:5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (KJV)
1 Cor 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. (2) I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. (3) For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (KJV)
carnal = sarx (sarx/4561); probably from the base of 4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul [or spirit], or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties [physically or morally] and passions), or (specifically) a human being (as such): KJV-- carnal (-ly, + -ly minded), flesh ([-ly]). (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)
sarx- (4561) (Thayer's Greek/English Lexicon)
1) flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood); used of both man and animals
2) the body
a) the body of a man
b) used of natural or physical origin, generation or relationship; born of natural generation
c) the sensuous nature of man, "the animal nature"
1) without any suggestion of depravity
2) the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin
3) the physical nature of man as subject to suffering
3) a living creature (because possessed of a body of flesh), whether man or beast
4) the flesh, denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God
FLESH — (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)
The human body, in the totality of all that is essential to manhood, i. e., spirit, soul, and body (2 Cor. 10:3a; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:22; Matt. 24:22; John 1:13; Rom. 3:20
The weaker element in human nature. (Matt. 26:41; Rom. 6:19; 8:3a) The unregenerate state of men, the seat of sin in man" (Rom. 7:5; 8:8,9; 2 Pet. 2:18; 1 John 2:16)
The lower and temporary element in the Christian, and in religious ordinances (Gal. 3:3; 6:8; Heb. 9:10). The natural attainments of men (1Cor. 1:26; 2Cor. 10:2,3)
Both of these scriptural references teach that the carnal mind, the natural human way of thinking; rob us of our ability to fellowship with God, and to understand His spiritual truth. The Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, Thayer’s, and Vine’s Lexicons all agree that the Greek word “Sarx” is the weaker elements of our human nature in all its frailties and passions. The Sarx or flesh consciousness is the sensuous part of our human nature; it's the arena of our self-will. In fact, Vine’s Expository Dictionary alludes to the fact that this nature can be shrouded in the elements of the Christian religion.
It's so important we understand this one point. Christians don't hate the carnal nature in totality; they only hate its selfish cruelty. It's very common for Christians to refine their carnal nature to the point it's acceptable to the local congregation. We teach our human nature to not cuss, spit, or crew, or to run with those who do. We also teach our human nature the correct religious vernacular and doctrine in order for us to hide our sensuous nature. Remember this one point; the carnal nature — noble, religious, or crude — is enmity (hostile) with God.
1 Cor 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (KJV)
(Amplified Bible) “But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them — of progressively recognizing, understanding and becoming better acquainted with them — because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.”
natural = psuchikos (psoo-khee-kos'/5591); from 5590; sensitive, i.e. animate (in distinction on the one hand from 4152, which is the higher or renovated nature; and on the other from 5446, which is the lower or bestial nature): KJV-- natural, sensual.
(Strong's Exhaustive Concordance)
psuchikos- (5591) (Thayer's Greek/English Lexicon)
of or belonging to breath:
a) having the nature and characteristics of the breath, the principal of animal life, which men have in common with the brutes
b) governed by breath; the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion
Once again, the concept of the sensual Christian arises. Remember what was taught in lesson one. One of the roots of spiritual drunkenness is a non-crucified sensuous nature caught in the mire of self-gratification and comfort (Rom 6:5-6). Paul admonished the Corinthian church that the natural, sensuous Christian is not able to receive the gifts from God, because they are discerned in the spirit. The ability to receive a gift doesn’t change the fact that the gift was given. Ponder this scripture in regards to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and their acceptance in the Body of Christ.