Amen, Pastor Sean. How is it that in most churches we find objection to this truth? Why is it that so many do not want to accept what is being taught here by the Spirit of God? What, have not our people read this Book? Or have they read it but do not understand such simple statements as these:
The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin;
Many have used the phrase "the righteousness of Christ" to cover unforsaken sins. They teach that Christ stands in our place in the judgment. That He covers our sins that have not been forsaken, and some teach that He covers unconfessed known sins. How very sad. What will you do with the truths presented in today's lesson? Will you defend God's truth or allow false teachers to continue on when God says through Paul that the teacher who brings false gospels into the church is "accursed?"
The righteousness of Christ "is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct." When? At conversion, and it continues as long as the sinner remains repentant and does not sin. If one sins, then he must be brought to repentance in order for the righteousness of Christ to cover his sins.
How do we understand such simple truth? "Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven." It is an entire surrender of the heart and life to Christ. We are transformed when the Holy Spirit takes possession of the heart and mind. We live in fallen sinful evil flesh, but are empowered to keep the flesh (body) under, lest we be castaways. "But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Cor. 9:27.
No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct. Holiness is wholeness for God; it is the entire surrender of heart and life to the indwelling of the principles of heaven.
The Christian in his business life is to represent to the world the manner in which our Lord would conduct business enterprises. In every transaction he is to make it manifest that God is his teacher. "Holiness unto the Lord" is to be written upon daybooks and ledgers, on deeds, receipts, and bills of exchange. Those who profess to be followers of Christ, and who deal in an unrighteous manner, are bearing false witness against the character of a holy, just, and merciful God. Every converted soul will, like Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous practices that have marked his life. Like the chief publican, he will give proof of his sincerity by making restitution. The Lord says, "If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; . . . none of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: . . . He shall surely live." Ezekiel 33:15, 16.
We are new creatures in Christ Jesus. "Every converted soul will, like Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous practices that have marked his life." If we sin, we still have an Intercessor who will forgive our sins if we will allow Jesus back into the heart. But, the Intercessor, will not forgive and cover our sins unless and until we confess our sins and are truly converted. How do we know if we are truly repentant? "No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation." There is a reformation in the life. Sin is put away and we walk in the Spirit. All of the fruits of the Spirit will be seen in the life, not one will be missing. Such a beautiful and important, and simple truth!!