Romans 3: 20-22 versus Matt 17

Hi all...

this I am amazed. I stand amazed at how significant every detail in the Bible is. And how every single book points to the great and finished work that the Messiah has completed. =) Every single book and detail. The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed!

Well, pastor has been expounding on the book of Romans for the past week or so, and in it indeed there has been so much revelation!

Romans 3: 20-22 [NKJV]
20Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
21But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,
22even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Paul goes on to adamantly (and I mean really adamantly) defend the gospel of Grace, for by in it we gain our full inheritance! Yes, full inheritance! By grace, we really do inherit the riches of God Himself! (riches-both material and spiritual, divine health, protection, blessings). Which is why I really really don't understand why people shy away from grace and defend the given Law. And I don't understand why people would turn away from this GOOD NEWS! Perhaps through the course of history, they have misconceptions on evangelistic movements, and disillusioned by Christ Crusades and all that. i.e. killing in the name of Christ. But I'm telling you, my goodness, we are only starting to unveil the true treasures of Paul's teaching which theologians through the centuries have missed, totally. So don't let past misconceptions rob you from gaining your inheritance. Come and find out more!

Well, back to the verse above, Paul says that the "righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets". With the gift of righteousness, from the finished work at the cross, we indeed have died to sin and thus the law. For the letter kills but the Spirit gives life! We cannot mix law and grace! well the amazing thing is, this statement actually refers to what happened at the Mt. of Transfiguration in Matt. 17:

1After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus. 4Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. 7But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don't be afraid.” 8When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus.

A wonderful story of how the righteousness of God, which we are in Christ, is exalted above the Law and the Prophets. As in Romans 3: 21: The righteousness of God is now apart from the law, and witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. Jesus is the righteousness of God, and the robe of righteousness that we NOW WEAR ppl. Moses represents the law (for he gave the law) and Elijah, the Prophets. Christ was witnessed by the Law and the Prophets on that very mountain. And at once, Peter tried to give glory to all-Jesus, Moses and Elijah-by suggesting that they all be built tabernacles. But God made His point when he interrupted Peter at that point and told everyone to hear only Jesus. That is, only the righteousness of God we seek. For the glory of the Law was bright, but it's glory passes away. But the glory of the ministry of the Spirit is revealed from glory to glory. Which is why when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus for He shone forth such glory that was ever-growing.

The one thing we have to do? Seek first the righteousness of God and all these things will be added to you. Don't be mistaken. The righteousness of God is Jesus Himself. Nothing to do with right-"Doing". All to do with right- "BEING". i.e. knowing that you received righteousness as a gift! He really wants to give and give. So... just take and take!
Our Melchizedek-King of righteousness-has come and we have that gift! it's a gift! and we are forever righteous. Forever qualified to eat of the most holy things through the finished work, no matter how many times we fall short.

Good news? Good news!