THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS Lesson 11 for the 13 th of March, 2010

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah, 64: 6) “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus, 3: 5) Righteousness and good works are a result of our relationship with Christ. Without Him there is no righteousness, only WHITEWASHED TOMBS. What makes them holy before God is what Christ has done for them, not what they do.

RIGHTEOUSNESS BEING RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE “Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men” (Romans, 5: 18) IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS The sacrifice of Christ makes us righteous before God. JUSTIFICATION BY FAITHDOING RIGHT THINGS “For the fruit of the Spirit consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth” (Ephesians, 5: 9) IMPARTED RIGHTEOUSNESS The Holy Spirit transforms us and qualifies us to obey the Commandments. SANCTIFICATION

“Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous” (Romans, 5: 18-19) One trespass (Adam’s) The disobedience of the one man. Condemnation for all men. Many were made sinners. One act of righteousness (Jesus’) The obedience of the one man. Justification for all men. Many will be made righteous.

“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Romans, 3: 28) “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter, 2: 24) The only way to be considered righteous before God is through Jesus’ sacrifice. That is a gift we must demand.

The Holy Spirit produces the fruit of righteousness in us. It qualifies us for doing right deeds and obeying the Commandments. “Righteousness is right doing, and it is by their deeds that all will be judged. Our characters are revealed by what we do. The works show whether the faith is genuine” (Christ’s Object Lessons, 312)

“The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness” (Proverbs, 15: 9) “In order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit” (Romans, 8: 4) “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Mathew, 6: 33) “If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him” (1 John, 2: 29)

Contemplating the cross creates a motivation to obey God in our hearts, just for pleasing Him.

“While we are admonished to obedience, we are not to think that we can merit salvation by our good works. Salvation is the free gift of God, and it is to be received by faith. It is provided for the repentant soul by Christ through the great plan of redemption. But the proof of our love to him, the evidence of our faith, will be found in our obedience to God's holy law. Our Saviour says, "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him." Christ enjoins upon us the keeping of the commandments because he knows that in keeping them there is great reward, the revealing of a character after the divine similitude” E.G.W. (Signs of the Times, May 16, 1895)