Post by foxjj on Aug 2, 2022 21:07:27 GMT
Righteousness Or Traditions
Yahweh gave Moses the Law on mount Sinai by which the Hebrew people were to live their lives. Over the years the Law became part of the traditions passed down from generation to generation. Traditions can be carried out religiously as a habit, thereby loosing their original intent. We see this all the time; just ask why people do certain things and you will get an answer like, “O’ it’s just tradition, you know, something that we always do.”
Religious Jews consider themselves to be followers of the traditions of their fathers, therefore believing that they worship the one true God. That been said, the sad truth is they failed to recognize their Messiah when He came in fulfillment of their Scriptures, thereby failing to attain the righteousness that He offered. This left the way open for the gentiles to attain righteousness by faith in Jesus as Paul wrote when speaking of Israel's unbelief;
”What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 9:30-33)
Jewish worship had to change when the destruction of the Temple by the Romans’ brought the sacrificial system to an end. Their religion is now based on traditions which keep them from recognizing Jesus as their Messiah, which in turn prevents them from a knowledge of The One True God. Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to The Father when He stated to the disciples: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”(John 14:6-7)
This in turn is also the position of all religions which do not trust in the finished work of Jesus as the only way onto righteousness, even if they do claim to be a Christian Church or organization. The way of Salvation is not following a religion, but coming to a personal knowledge of The Redeemer who came in order to Atone by His Blood for the sin of all who will put their faith in Him.
I am forever grateful that the Holy Spirit took away my spiritual blindness. It was He who opened my eyes to spiritual truth - I am no longer lost nor spiritually blind. God's Spirit brought me out of religious traditions to the place where I repented of my sin confessing Jesus as my Savior and Lord. What joy fills my heart knowing that my sin will no longer be held against me, because Jesus has redeemed me, and His Grace is guiding me to my eternal home.
Today, let us praise Our Heavenly Father for the gift of righteousness.
John Joseph Fox.
Yahweh gave Moses the Law on mount Sinai by which the Hebrew people were to live their lives. Over the years the Law became part of the traditions passed down from generation to generation. Traditions can be carried out religiously as a habit, thereby loosing their original intent. We see this all the time; just ask why people do certain things and you will get an answer like, “O’ it’s just tradition, you know, something that we always do.”
Religious Jews consider themselves to be followers of the traditions of their fathers, therefore believing that they worship the one true God. That been said, the sad truth is they failed to recognize their Messiah when He came in fulfillment of their Scriptures, thereby failing to attain the righteousness that He offered. This left the way open for the gentiles to attain righteousness by faith in Jesus as Paul wrote when speaking of Israel's unbelief;
”What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” (Romans 9:30-33)
Jewish worship had to change when the destruction of the Temple by the Romans’ brought the sacrificial system to an end. Their religion is now based on traditions which keep them from recognizing Jesus as their Messiah, which in turn prevents them from a knowledge of The One True God. Jesus made it clear that He is the only way to The Father when He stated to the disciples: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”(John 14:6-7)
This in turn is also the position of all religions which do not trust in the finished work of Jesus as the only way onto righteousness, even if they do claim to be a Christian Church or organization. The way of Salvation is not following a religion, but coming to a personal knowledge of The Redeemer who came in order to Atone by His Blood for the sin of all who will put their faith in Him.
I am forever grateful that the Holy Spirit took away my spiritual blindness. It was He who opened my eyes to spiritual truth - I am no longer lost nor spiritually blind. God's Spirit brought me out of religious traditions to the place where I repented of my sin confessing Jesus as my Savior and Lord. What joy fills my heart knowing that my sin will no longer be held against me, because Jesus has redeemed me, and His Grace is guiding me to my eternal home.
Today, let us praise Our Heavenly Father for the gift of righteousness.
John Joseph Fox.