March 2009
This month’s view continues with God’s absolute truth, love, and forgiveness for us all, by sharing His gift of absolute righteousness, peace, and joy. The Apostle Paul teaches, “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”1
Absolute Righteousness
The study on righteousness is endless, but simply put, our God [Yeshua-Tsidkeenu], in Judea-Christianity, is our righteousness.2 “God alone made it possible for you [and I] to be [righteous] in Christ Jesus [through His death, burial, and resurrection]. For our benefit God made Christ to be wisdom itself. He is the one who made us acceptable [righteous] to God. He made us pure and holy, and He gave Himself to purchase our freedom [from sin and spiritual death].”3
You may say, “I have no need to be freed from sin.” But God says that His law is written within you, that your own conscience tells you whether you’re doing right or wrong.4 Conscience is that inner facility that indicates to us whether our actions are right or wrong according to the standards within our hearts. God’s standard, the law “…is to keep people [us] from having excuses and to bring the entire world into judgment before God…For all have sinned; all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet now, God, in His gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins.”5
Righteousness is the ability to stand in God’s presence without any sense of sin, fear, guilt, condemnation or inferiority. “We are made righteous in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s wrath against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed His blood, sacrificing His life for us.”6
Absolute Peace
Do you desire to have absolute peace with God? If so, pray this from your heart, “God, I am a sinner. I believe that you placed all my sin upon Jesus, therefore, You have forgiven me and cleansed me from all unrighteousness.7 I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe that You raised Him from the dead. I believe that I am made right with You, Father, and that I am saved. I receive Your Word into my heart. Amen.” Jesus Christ has given us the ability to reign as Kings in triumph over sin and death through Him,8 and to have peace within.
Peace is a combination of hope, trust, and inner tranquility in the mind and soul, brought about by reconciliation with God through Christ, the Prince of Peace. “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into His place of highest privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”9
Peace is an important concept in Judaism. They say the word often: “Shalom.” The word comes from the root word “shevet,” which means “to dwell.” It is the same root word for “Shabbot” or “Sabbath.” The connection between these words and their meaning is best seen in the current situation in the Middle East. This situation has been present throughout Scripture. If the Palestinian Arabs would agree to “dwell” with the Palestinian Jews [Israelis]; there would be “peace”—Shalom.10 It will take righteousness to bring about such peace. “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.”11
Absolute Joy
You may not be experiencing joy, but Jesus left us an inheritance of absolute joy. The secret is to dwell [settle down and make yourself at home] in God’s love. He taught that He is the true Vine [from heaven], and that His Father [God] is the Gardener who prunes us – His branches. He commands us, saying, “Dwell in Me [in His love], and I will dwell in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from Me.”12 He continues by saying, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved Me. Dwell in My love. I have told you this so that you will be filled with My joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”13
Do you desire to overflow with joy? In order to do so, you must dwell in God’s love. How? Jude, a half-brother of Jesus, taught, “But you, beloved [you be loved], building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”14 The Apostle Paul says, “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”15
There is joy in God’s presence. As you stay in the presence of God, joy overflows. The Psalmist David sang, “Thou will show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.”16 When you come up against trials, remember: you sit at God’s right hand with Christ, according to God’s Word. As you trust Him to work through the trial and deliver you, joy comes. God does His greatest work during times of trial, but according to His timing. So sit back, relax in His presence, and let God do His greatest work restoring your heart, “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”17
A Prayer For You ...
Our loving Father, Your son, Jesus told us; His peace He gives us; He does not give as the world gives. Your peace, Shalom, is not of this world. Jesus has overcome the world and we overcome the problems in this world through faith in Him. Give us the peace available in Jesus, for His peace exceeds all our understanding. He completes us; He dwells with us; He is our joy. We pray for His strength to overcome. In Jesus Name, Amen
Scripture References (New Living Translation):
1 Rom. 14:17
2 Jere. 23:5,6
3 1 Cor. 1:30
4 Rom. 2:14, 15
5 Rom. 3:19, 20, 23, 24
6 Rom. 3:22, 25a
7 1 John 1:9
8 Rom. 5:17-21
9 Rom. 5:1, 2
10 Psa. 133:1
11 Isa. 32:17
12 John 15:1-4
13 John 15:9, 11
14 Jude 20, 21
15 Col. 3:15, 16
16 Psa. 16:11
17 Neh. 8:10
Acknowledgement: A special thanks to Sherry for transcribing this months view!