-THE 1,2,3 OF RIGHTEOUSNESS series
You will know them by what they produce. “People don’t pick grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles, do they? In the same way every good tree produces good fruit, but a rotten tree produces bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a rotten tree cannot produce good fruit. Matthew 7:16-18 (GWT)
As we continue this righteousness series, it will be good to adopt the sociological approach of the study of human behaviour -NATURE versus NURTURE. This will help to drive home the message of Righteousness. Our nature speaks of what we are made up of from birth i.e. the new birth. We were born by God Himself; He gave to us His divine nature and His own very Righteousness (2 Peter 1:4).
Nature is different from characteristics (nurture). Nurture is the way an individual has been trained and encouraged in the process of growth. The nature of a dog is different from that of a cat because of their respective progenitor. Nevertheless, a puppy trained like a cat will certainly grow up to behave, act and respond like a cat. No matter how cat-like it behaves, it remains a dog by nature. However, in real sense, the puppy behaving like a cat is completely abnormal. In essence, such a puppy has been living bellow standard, short-changed and cheated!
Being a New Creature means you now have a new Nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). Please let me re-sound again that this does NOT mean a new order of doing things, ("the things I used to do, I do them no more") or else, unbelievers who live morally upright and pious lives should also be referred to a 'New Creatures.' Becoming a New Creature talks about a change in Nature; having a Nature that has never existed before. It becomes hard for you to tell whether an individual is a New Creature by physical appearance or by the activities, which they perform.
Being a New Creature also connotes the fact that there was an Old Creature. Yes! He is called the 'old man' (Ephesians 4:22; Galatians 3:9; Romans 6:6). While the old man lived in us, we instinctively sinned against God. In fact, with or without doing anything, we were sinners. Now the old man is dead, he died with Christ on the cross. What Baptism means is that this 'old man' died and was buried together with Christ (Romans 6:1-6; 2 Corinthians 5:15-16). That old man has been buried and can never rise up again. When Jesus rose up from the dead by the power of God, we were raised together with Him. Interestingly, it was a 'New Man' who rose up and not that former old man (Romans 7:4-6). Hallelujah!
This is therefore a call on us to respond to that New Nature in us by our walk. The old sinful nature is gone and can no longer dictate to us what to do (Romans 6:4, 9-22; 8:10-13; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 4:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:15).
When we do certain things, which can be referred to as 'sinful acts', they are works of the flesh, which are not potent enough to change our nature or reverse the work of Christ on the cross because He will not die again a second time to make us righteous. You have the righteousness of God as an irrevocable gift but take note that when you do the works of the flesh, you are living short of who God has made you to be just like the cat-like puppy. You are not bringing forth the fruits like He expects you to.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)
If you claim to be a believer and your works are no different from that of the children of this world, please check your salvation again. It is possible that, like Saul, you have been playing religion (see http://grenepages.com/issue_18/two_kinds_of_righteousness.php).
You may ask, ‘How do I walk in this newness of life?' You walk in newness of life by learning; you must be taught (Colossians 1:8-9, 28; 2:6,). This process is also called the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13).
I beseech you to take advantage of every medium, which you know will enhance your knowledge and will better equip you on how to walk worthy of the calling you have received. Do not just go for knowledge, but the right knowledge.
May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:11 (NLT)
