November 28, 2001

Reading: Jer: 2:29-37

 

“Behold, I will plead My case against you, because you say, ‘I have not sinned’” (35)

 

Is this not the final condemnation of all? These words are sufficient to condemn men and women to eternal separation from God – hell. If no other words were spoken, these, in themselves will incur the wrath of God. They will cause the Almighty One to say, “I will plead my case against you.” Then, who can stand?

These words are in direct contradiction to the Word of God that says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom: 3:23). When God speaks let all listen, for unless they do they will be the recipients of His judgment.

These words are the result of an attitude. By dismissing and rejecting God man is saying, “I have not sinned”. The unrepentant soul says, “I have not sinned, why do I need a Savior?” The unregenerate heart says, “I will walk according to my own counsel”. The saved say, “You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory” (Ps: 73:24).

These words are the product of him who trusts in his own righteousness, who says, “I am a good person and kind to others. I have done nothing to warrant the wrath of God.” To such an one the scripture says, “There is none righteous, no not one” (Rom: 3:10). It is for this reason that God introduced the “Sun of Righteousness” to us, that he who believes “might become the righteousness of God in Him “ (2 Cor: 5:21). What a glorious revelation to a sinful and unrighteous world! Not only can we become righteous but it is with the righteousness of God!

If we say, “We have not sinned” we are liars, “if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”. So says the Word of God (1 John 1:8-9).

The message of the gospel has never changed, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). Sin must first be dealt with before we can become the righteousness of God. The refreshing times can only follow conversion. The righteousness of God is imputed to us only after our sins have been “blotted out”. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb: 9:22). Repentance, remission, reconciliation and righteousness; this is the divine order and it is all made possible because of the shed blood of Christ. Righteousness without repentance will never happen, but to those who have been made righteous in Christ, “The LORD loves the righteous” (Ps: 146:8). and “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death” (Prov: 12:28).

The confession of the prodigal son, “Father, I have sinned” (Lk: 15:21) must always come before the rewards of righteousness; “But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry” (Luke 15:22-23).

“A little that a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked” (Ps 37:16). Why is this so? Because the righteousness a righteous man has is the righteousness of God and is his for eternity. “The LORD upholds the righteous” (17), we are under His love and protection and are forever His possession and joy. “Blessings are on the head of the righteous” (Prov: 10:6) for we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph: 1:3).