Is it possible to be right with God? Can we know for sure if we are?
In answer to these things we first need to recognize that in and of ourselves we are not right with God. His Word declares "There is none righteouse, no not one." Why is this?
Simply because we are sinners and God hates sin, He condemns it.
The result of our sin is this; death, but not physically only. Mankind apart from God's grace is spiritually destitute of all that He requires of us, we are spiritually dead. We are born "in Adam", that is born with an inheritance from our father, being that condition of conscience that condemns us, we are "knowing good and evil". And try as we might to ignore it we have a definite bent toward the evil. If you don't believe me just take a look around yourself.
What is God's requirement for us?
What do we need to do in order to measure up to God's standard? The answer is found in God's law.
1. Have no other gods before God.
2. Make for yourself no Idols
3. Do not take His name in vain
4. Remember the Sabbath
5. Honour your father and mother
6. Do not murder
7. Do not commit adultery
8. Do not steal
9. Do not lie
10. Do not desire things that are not rightfully yours
A simple test may be to examine yourself in light of God's requirement of you. Maybe you've never stolen but have you lied? Maybe you've dishonoured your parents but you haven't commited adultery...or have you? Jesus said "...whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" Matt. 5: 28 All sin is sin and if you've broken one point you've transgressed the whole law.
Given an honest examination there isn't a single one of us who measures up to God's requirement. So let me ask you this: If we do not measure up to God's standard of works (meaning perfect in behaviour), can we be righteous in His sight by our works?
The answer of course is no. If I have blown my chance at righteousness by works (that is being perfect in behaviour) by transgression of God's law how is it possible that I could be made righteous by doing that which I inherantly (through Adam) cannot do, which is be perfect? For "...the scripture hath concluded all under sin..." Galatians 3: 22 To do so would be a complete paradox, a contradiction of terms.
If we need Righteousness, how do we get it?
Well let's look at what God says.
"Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Romans 4: 3
Abraham was a man who was born as we are, "in Adam". Born with a nature that knows right from wrong and yet chooses the wrong. But even so Abraham was called righteous. Why? Because he believed God. Righteousness by works was not availible to this man given to passions and sins as we are, but Abraham had something that set him apart: faith in the Living God. When told to do things that he didn't understand he counted God as faithful, he was strong in faith toward God and his faith brought glory to God. And in so doing Abraham fulfilled the puropose for which he was created, to glorify God. And therefore his faith was counted in the sight of God as righteousness. Not because he worked for it and God owed it to Him, but by the gift and graciousness of God. It is written "and if by grace then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." Romans 11: 6 Either righteousness is by works or by grace, one of the two but cannot be both. And as we have seen righteousness by works is not availible to us.
The fullfilment of mankind is in the glorification of his Creator. We do not glorify God in our works apart from faith (again if you don't believe me take a look around). And as it is written "Without faith it is impossible to please Him; for him that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11: 6 And "as it is written: the just shall live by faith" Romans 1: 17
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law" Romans 3: 28
We are made righteous in the sight of God by faith. Faith in what exactly? Faith in what God has declared. And what God has declared is Jesus Christ.
