So, they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. Isaiah 61:3

 

 

In our last blog, we talked about how WE ARE Trees of Righteousness. We have been planted in the rich soil of Jesus Christ our Lord. We are watered by the Holy Spirit and pruned by our Father. Even though Christ is our Life, we discussed the issues that stunt our growth:

 

The first problem we all encounter is when we handle life’s challenges in our strength and power (the flesh); we become our source of Life instead of Christ. We fail to turn to the Lord and ask Him, how does He want to handle a particular situation. But, instead of experiencing Life, just the opposite, we experience death (frustration, confusion, anger, fear, etc.). 

 

 

 

 

Whenever we turn to the flesh our roots will not obtain the nutrients it needs to flourish and bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, patience, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

 

Secondly, when we fail to listen to the Lord or don’t obey Him, we remain as little trees tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and succumb to all manner of evil and sin.

 

Finally, when we allow unbelief, fear, and doubt to cloud our judgment of how MIGHTY our God is and who WE ARE in Christ, we can’t rest or trust in the ONLY God who is able to save and protect us from this evil and twisted world system.

 

There are many causes that hinder our growth or maturity in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, however today, I want to share three scriptures to remind us of the amazing life we have being planted in the rich soil of Jesus Christ.

 

According to the Strong’s Concordance, ‘righteousness’ simply means, conforming to the will of God. We have FULLY been accepted and loved by our Father. The will of God is a person! It is Christ’s Life living within us and allowed to express His Life through us. Righteousness has been given to us as a GIFT… Jesus Christ.

 

 Romans 3:21-26 (Amplified)

 

²¹ But now the Righteousness of God has been clearly revealed [independently and completely] apart from the Law, though it is [actually] confirmed by the Law and the [words and writings of the] Prophets. 

 

²² This Righteousness of God comes through FAITH in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, ²³ since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a GIFT by His [precious, undeserved] grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus, ²⁵ whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin] because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. ²⁶ It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].

  

Romans 5:17-18 (Amplified)

¹⁷ For if by the trespass of the one (Adam), death reigned through the one (Adam), much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the FREE GIFT of Righteousness reign in [eternal] life through the One, Jesus Christ.

¹⁸ So then as through one trespass [Adam’s sin] there resulted in condemnation for all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted in the justification of life to all men. ¹⁹ For just as through one man’s disobedience [his failure to hear, his carelessness] the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of the one Man the many will be made righteous and acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him. 

 

Romans 6:18 (Amplified)

¹⁸ And having been set free from sin, you have become the Slaves of Righteousness [of conformity to God’s will and purpose].

 

Here are some wonderful tidbits:

 

• The person who trusts in the Finished Work of Christ can draw from the rich soil of His grace and life so that Christ can live His perfect life in and through them.

 

• Righteousness is a person, Jesus Christ and we are in Union with Him, One with Him. We get to experience all that He is within us and through us as we just turn to Him and obey His Spirit.

 

• Righteousness can never be attained by our doing something for God, or obedience to the Law, or by a persons’ own merits (good deeds) is only attained and enjoyed by FAITH IN CHRIST.

 

• Our trusting in Christ, we become ALL our Father created us to be.

 

• Our trusting in Christ, we become ALL we never could be in and of ourselves.

 

What an amazing life we have in the Kingdom of God drawing from Christ’s abundant grace, love, and life from our Father, and the Holy Spirit living within us! When we draw from their life, we experience such peace, freedom, and joy. We also will produce the fruit of their spirit expressed through our being loving, forgiving, truthful, and all that is good.

---

 

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 (Amplified)

 

---

 

Enjoy Christ, Enjoy Life!