Dr. Joe Cephus Bingham Sr.

Righteousness Dr. Joe Cephus Bingham Sr.

Our contemporary culture is teaching us that if we want to be accepted, we have to follow society?s rules. In other words, we have to do something in order to receive their benefits. This thinking has spilled over into our Churches. To be precise, if you want to be saved, you have to do a host of religious rituals that have been taken from the Bible, used out of context and implemented by man as a criterion for salvation. I am convinced that such religious rules are the core problem that most Christians deal with when it comes to God?s righteousness. Yet, most main stream denominations are convinced that if you are not doing something to gain salvation, then you do not deserve it. This is nothing more than a question of works!However, listen to how Paul addresses the topic of works via salvation. ?For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith?and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God? 9 not by works, so that no one can boast? Ephesians 2:8-9. This verse is clear that we cannot be saved or righteous before God by our good works. Neither, are we able to keep the Mosaic commandments. ?I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing? Galatians 2:21. Good works are not something Christians have to do; they are something we ought to want to do. Quite the opposite, when we know what God expects of us, it simply makes us more aware of where we have falling short. The Bible very clearly states that if we could become righteous by our own works, then Christ did not need to die: ?If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing:? Galatians 2:21b.