Nougat 15

Yesterday, we visited the meaning of Y’shua’s designation as God’s Righteousness. Let us now explore the other possible interpretation of YHWH Tsidkenu, namely, The Lord: Our Righteousness. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Jeremiah 23:5-6 AFV

[5] “Behold, the days come,” says the Lord, “that I will raise to David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall do justice and righteousness in the earth. [6] In His days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. And this is His name by which He shall be called, THE Lord OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

YHWH Tsidkenu 2

We saw

the distinction between God’s Righteousness and The Lord our Righteousness when we read 2 Corinthians 5:21. When we consider that knowledge is good, it is hard to see how Adam and Eve sinned. What was wrong was the way in which knowledge was acquired – through disobedience. The conscious decision was made to go against God’s instructions, which opened the door to humanity making other choices resulting in unrighteous actions.

Self-Check

Have we consciously gone against God’s plan for our lives recently? Let’s pause to repent right away.

Application

That’s what makes our righteousness filthy rags – we don’t always choose God’s way even when we choose to do good. Our natural tendency is to disobey God and please ourselves. Sometimes although we actually do what is good, right and just of our own volition, our motives are impure.

The fact is, Y’shua declared that no one is good, save for God (see Mark 10:18). Paul expanded that premise by echoing Psalms 14:1-3 and 53:1-3 in his letter to the Romans (see chapter 3:10-12). If no human is naturally righteous, one perfect person must restore us to right relationship with God. By nature and status, Y’shua is God, was there at Creation with God (see John 1), and remained obedient to God’s will – even unto death. Paul refers to him as the second Adam. That is, the one who would undo, rather, repair the damage caused by Adam’s choice to disobey.

Adam’s conscious sin required a conscious salvific act. Luke 22:42 confirms that Jesus chose the way of the cross. Yes, Jesus consciously *chose* to make us righteous by His death and resurrection. He ended the curse of death: the consequence of disobedience. Consciously choosing to accept Y’shua’s as Lord of our lives, allows God’s Spirit to engage with our spirits so that we desire obeying God over our wilful ways.

So, to answer my question, I’d say Y’shua is both God’s Righteousness and the Lord: Our Righteousness. True, there is a slight nuanced difference between the two. But they are not mutually exclusive. We need God’s righteousness, Y’shua, to make us righteous. That’s the Gift that keeps giving each and every day of our lives, not only in this season.

Point to Ponder

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May all we seek be found in Christ