Posted by
ValiantForTruth on Thursday, March 06, 2008 12:28:06 PM
A trait of the false prophet is that he declares peace when there is no peace. [Jeremiah 6:13-15]
The Bible says that the kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. [Romans 14:17] The way to peace and joy spoken of as ‘in the Holy Spirit’ is predicated on righteousness. Since God is Holy, not just any righteousness will do. Only a perfect righteousness is good enough.
How are we to obtain a perfect righteousness? What about our sins? How shall we get forgiveness of sin? Shall we pursue good works? How many good works are needed to atone for our sin? This is why the Bible says that by the works of the Law no flesh will be made righteous. Our sin must be covered before we can hope to have a perfect righteousness.
Now, there is but one source of a perfect righteousness. This is the only righteousness acceptable to God and necessary for men to possess in order to enter the kingdom of God and to enjoy the peace and joy of God. Peace apart from this righteousness is the peace of the false prophet.
The Bible says that God 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]. In the Gospel our sin is imputed to Christ and His righteousness is imputed to us. This is the imputed righteousness of faith apart from works available to all who will call upon the name of the Lord.
There is no other name under heaven whereby men must be saved. Is there any other man who possesses a perfect righteousness? Is there any other man who can cover our sins? This is why the Gospel of Christ is called the good news of grace.