DEMONSTRATION OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST 2022
In today's article, we are looking at how God expressed and demonstrated His righteousness through Christ, by a powerful presentation which revealed that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past. Let's find out more.
Reference: Romans 3:25-26 New International Version (NIV) " God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood - to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished."
In the above verse, notice the word, "Presented." Presentation here, is another word for exhibition. The Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary defined "Presentation" as first, the act of presenting, or the state of being presented; a setting forth; an offering; bestowal. Second definition: Exhibition; representation; display; appearance; semblance; show. And the third, signifies that which is presented or given; a present; a gift. However, in the context of today's Scripture, the accurate definition is a picture of a presentation from God in order to demonstrate His righteousness. So Jesus was the main actor in the presentation. Therefore, having considered the above definitions for presentation, we can now grasp the main point in the full description of today's referenced Scripture, as we make contact with the Greek translation for presentation: "Prosphero" which is - offering up an oblation or sacrifice.
Beloved, God was actually hosting a show of His righteousness when He sent Christ to earth as His sacrificial lamb, who acted the greatest role in the exhibition. Each time we feel bad about what happened to Jesus and how He was executed on the cross using the Roman crucifixion method, some of us could even get to the point of cursing those religious leaders of Israel who masterminded his death plan. Interestingly, to God, He was only making a presentation. No wonder - when Jesus cried out to God as He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond his disciples to kneel down and pray, saying, "Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me. Yet not My will, but Yours be done", God did not respond to Him softly because to God, Jesus was only acting His role (See Luke 22:41-43 NLT). Instead of relieving his pain or removing Him from the main role, which no one else in heaven and on earth was qualified to act, he sent an angel from heaven to strengthen Him. This was actually because God was making a statement of presentation through the life of Christ on earth, in order to demonstrate His righteousness. Simple!
In 1st Corinthians 2:7-8, this presentation is considered a mystery known as the hidden wisdom of God, which was hidden for ages and destined for our glory before time began. And it reads, "We declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (NIV). In other words, in the presentation, the rulers and religious leaders who crucified Jesus also acted their role in the divine script properly - but they did that unknowingly. So the presentation was mind-boggling. Peter also identified with the presentation when He preached to the crowd, thereby addressing the men of Israel about Christ Jesus. In Acts 2:23, Peter noted, "But God knew what would happen, and His prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him" (NLT). In this verse, Peter revealed that the presentation involved Christ being handed over to the rulers and religious heads of Israel by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge, and so, with the help of arranged wicked men, He was put to death by being nailed to the cross.
Today we have the latest, ongoing presentation in the body of Christ, which is revealed in Ephesians 5:25 -27 (NIV): "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish." As we live for Christ by submitting to His Lordship and subscribing to God's will, He presents us to Himself, as His very own body which represents His radiant and glorious church, and He does so continually, in order to demonstrates His righteousness and holiest perfection through us. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Psalm 92:8; Romans 1:17; Isaiah 42:21; Romans 4:5-6.
Exuberant Declaration: I affirm that God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood, which I received by faith. I affirm that my faith in the finished work of Christ and partaking in the gift of grace are integral to my justification and righteousness in Christ. I affirm that I'm the righteousness of God which stamps the nature of Christ in my innermost being. I affirm that practising righteousness and walking in step with the Spirit are a prerequisite for obtaining the benefits of my salvation in Christ. I affirm that by meditating on the Word, I continually conform to Christ's image and likeness in my world, as the Spirit of God increases my faith, carries on the work of grace upon my life, and enlarges the experience and expression of the glory of God in my life. Hallelujah!
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