How do we increase in righteousness?

[Emli]

By physical birth, no one is righteous.
After a Spiritual birth, we are expected to do right, every time.

No, we are not perfect even after we are born-again. It takes a long time for God to cleanse us from our sins. What happens is: He convicts us of our sins, then we confess them to Him and repent (change our minds, accept that it's wrong), and then He cleanses us from them. There is no pressure put on us to be perfect, we really just need to be aware of our own sinfulness, repent of our sins, and allow Him to change us.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

It takes time, but we will be perfected before it's time for us to enter Heaven.

 

[Jeff4607]

Yes He did. He also told us to be perfect,for I am perfect. "That means be mature".

 

[Jeff4607]

Yes He did. He also told us to be perfect,for I am perfect. "That means be mature".

No, we are not perfect even after we are born-again. It takes a long time for God to cleanse us from our sins. What happens is: He convicts us of our sins, then we confess them to Him and repent (change our minds, accept that it's wrong), and then He cleanses us from them. There is no pressure put on us to be perfect, we really just need to be aware of our own sinfulness, repent of our sins, and allow Him to change us.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

It takes time, but we will be perfected before it's time for us to enter Heaven.

No, we are not perfect even after we are born-again. It takes a long time for God to cleanse us from our sins. What happens is: He convicts us of our sins, then we confess them to Him and repent (change our minds, accept that it's wrong), and then He cleanses us from them. There is no pressure put on us to be perfect, we really just need to be aware of our own sinfulness, repent of our sins, and allow Him to change us.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

It takes time, but we will be perfected before it's time for us to enter Heaven.

 

[Jeff4607]

I'm sorry, but that's just not true. If you were right, then the letter to the Hebrews is irrelevant. The word "perfect" is translated, mature.
I would ask, what sin or sins are you hanging onto.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Hello Jeff, and welcome to CF.

Regarding the topic ...


We are meant to grow in Christ, to mature into being like Him. That doesn't mean that we are saved by works, but if we have living faith, we should expect to be transformed.

Without the grace of the Holy Spirit, this is impossible. However, we do have our part to play in cooperating with the grace of God, receiving the grace of God, and not preventing His work in us.

There are concrete things we can do in this regard, but we must never begin to think it is through our own righteousness or efforts that we are made like Christ, because it is primarily God working in us.

 

[Emli]

I'm sorry, but that's just not true. If you were right, then the letter to the Hebrews is irrelevant. The word "perfect" is translated, mature.
I would ask, what sin or sins are you hanging onto.

I'm not hanging on to any sins. I've given them all to Christ.
But I'm not deceiving myself to think I'm not still living in this sinful body.

From Romans 7:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

Those are some great words by Paul.
This is how we are to view our struggles against sin. We are still living in sinful bodies, in an ongoing struggle between the flesh and the Spirit.
No one who is a Christian continues to live in sin, or be comfortable with it, but we all struggle with it. If we do not admit this to ourselves, we are lying, to ourselves and to God.
As I wrote in the last post. We confess our sins, and He cleanses us from them. By putting to death the deeds of the flesh, crucifying ourselves with Him, and dying to our own selves, He continually transforms us. But it is an ongoing process.

 

[JESUS=G.O.A.T]

How does our righteous increase?

Colossians 3:

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

5 Mortify (put to death/deprive, aka flat out get rid of these things) therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

2 Peter 1:5-10King James Version (KJV)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:



Summarization scripture:

Romans 6:18-23King James Version (KJV)
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.



Summary: 1. remove old stuff such as sin through repentance/baptism/holy ghost salvation 2. Walk in the newness of life 3. As you you will continue to be sanctified develop the fruit of the spirit which includes, love, peace, meekness, goodness etc. Add to your faith

Now sure you still have this flesh...you can't get rid of that, but as Paul says "walk in the spirit and you'll not fulfill the lust of the flesh". Sure you'll still be tempted to sin and such becuase we live in this wretched flesh, but you don't have to.

 

[DrBubbaLove]

How does our righteous increase?

By reception of God's Grace, first the Grace of faith, then by/through the Sacraments.

 

[Jeff4607]

I'm not hanging on to any sins. I've given them all to Christ.
But I'm not deceiving myself to think I'm not still living in this sinful body.

From Romans 7:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin."

Those are some great words by Paul.
This is how we are to view our struggles against sin. We are still living in sinful bodies, in an ongoing struggle between the flesh and the Spirit.
No one who is a Christian continues to live in sin, or be comfortable with it, but we all struggle with it. If we do not admit this to ourselves, we are lying, to ourselves and to God.
As I wrote in the last post. We confess our sins, and He cleanses us from them. By putting to death the deeds of the flesh, crucifying ourselves with Him, and dying to our own selves, He continually transforms us. But it is an ongoing process.

 

[Jeff4607]

Romans 7 are great words by SAUL, before Christ. He's explaining the sin nature. Romans 8 is Paul.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

How awful it must be that your testimony is Romans 7. You've been lied to.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Someone has lied to you. What you believe is not true. No willful sinner will enter God's rest on judgement day. I erg you to seek His truth by Him and not of me or anyone else. God Bride is to be spotless, without blemish and God cannot live in a house that is not clean.

 

[Emli]

Romans 7 are great words by SAUL, before Christ. He's explaining the sin nature. Romans 8 is Paul.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

How awful it must be that your testimony is Romans 7. You've been lied to.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Someone has lied to you. What you believe is not true. No willful sinner will enter God's rest on judgement day. I erg you to seek His truth by Him and not of me or anyone else. God Bride is to be spotless, without blemish and God cannot live in a house that is not clean.

You are reacting to something I didn't write, and skipping some things that I did write.
Very strange reaction... Did you come here to put other people down? And to make yourself look good?

I'm safe in Christ. I've learnt everything I've known from God, through His Word, and through His Spirit. He has never lied to me, because God cannot tell a lie. And I do not lie to Him, by claiming to be perfect.

Pride is a sin. So is self-righteousness.
Be very careful about how you act, and what you think. He sees your heart, and He will judge you by it.

 

[Jeff4607]

You are reacting to something I didn't write, and skipping some things that I did write.
Very strange reaction... Did you come here to put other people down? And to make yourself look good?

I'm safe in Christ. I've learnt everything I've known from God, through His Word, and through His Spirit. He has never lied to me, because God cannot tell a lie. And I do not lie to Him, by claiming to be perfect.

Pride is a sin. So is self-righteousness.
Be very careful about how you act, and what you think. He sees your heart, and He will judge you by it.

 

[Jeff4607]

It was not my desire to offend, but awaken. Good luck.

 

[Emli]

It was not my desire to offend, but awaken. Good luck.

Then please, awaken me with Truth, not wickedness.

Godbless, brother! I'll be praying for you.

 

[Jeff4607]

God only hears the prayers of the righteous.

 

[MDC]

Romans 7 are great words by SAUL, before Christ. He's explaining the sin nature. Romans 8 is Paul.

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

How awful it must be that your testimony is Romans 7. You've been lied to.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you.

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Someone has lied to you. What you believe is not true. No willful sinner will enter God's rest on judgement day. I erg you to seek His truth by Him and not of me or anyone else. God Bride is to be spotless, without blemish and God cannot live in a house that is not clean.

The law requires perfect and sinless obedience. Which no one has or could attain to. It is Christ Jesus who fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law through His obedience and shed blood to bring justification and redemption to them that believe. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ... Galatians 2:16. The elect and faithful live by faith. And their confidence and assurance is in Christ righteousness, not their own. The self righteous will always lead others to look to their own righteousness as assurance of being justified before God. Which is not of faith, but that by the works of the law. The self righteous believe their obedience merits justification, rather Christ righteousness as being the only acceptable righteousness God requires to save a sinner. And is why they stumble and reject the gospel of Christ. It is Christ perfect righteousness and shed blood that justifies a sinner alone. And that by the grace of God. All Gods people rest in their Savior Jesus as their acceptable assurance of eternal life. The elect live in confidence of Christ righteousness as their only assurance and justification before God. Ones sanctification in Christ is not his justification before God. The compounding of the two is why there are many modern day Judaizers who preach works based salvation that teach ones righteous obedience is the cause and maintaining of ones eternal life. Gods bride is only spotless because of Christ Jesus and His righteousness

 

[SkyWriting]

By physical birth, no one is righteous.
After a Spiritual birth, we are expected to do right, every time.

Ouch! Already imposing your morals on others?

 

[DingDing]

How does our righteous increase?

I'm afraid, in part, that it is a painful process. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[JESUS=G.O.A.T]

I'm afraid, in part, that it is a painful process. Be careful what you wish for.

amen to that people always ask how can I enter this or that or how can I be this for God. And i'm like look... sure I enjoy preaching and playing the drums for god but it takes an anointing and some growing pains and such to reach a certain level to do those things. I didn't get to where i'm at so far in my walk for free.


You have to have a prayer life, and God may have you go through trials and such, an anointing is gods approval.

Salvation=free

But adding stuff to your faith and an anointing=will cost you something.

After all one part of the fruit of the spirit is patience, in order to become righteous it doesn't just take salvation but sanctification as well as a daily prayer/devotion to God life to ensure you continue to walk in that righteousness.

 

[ViaCrucis]

How does our righteous increase?

It doesn't. We have no righteousness of our own, the only righteousness we have is the alien righteousness of Christ imputed to us as grace; and His righteousness is perfect.

-CryptoLutheran