Big Idea: Abiding in Christ produces a number of results. Jesus requires perfect righteousness and he provides that righteousness both through his sacrifice on the cross but also in his work of regeneration and his abiding presence in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus is the source of our righteous living.
NCC Question 7
What does the law of God require?
Personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience; that we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves. What God forbids should never be done and what God commands should always be done.
NCC Question 15
Since no one can keep the law, what is its purpose?
That we may know the holy nature and will of God, and the sinful nature and disobedience of our hearts; and thus our need of a Savior. The law also teaches and exhorts us to live a life worthy of our Savior.
Jesus is ________________________________!
1 John 2:29 (ESV) — 29 If you know that he is righteous…
In Jesus is found the perfect convergence of holiness and humanity.
John 6:38 (ESV) — 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
John 8:28–29 (ESV) — 28 So Jesus said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me. 29 And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
Jesus was perfectly obedient because he was perfectly righteous. His actions were a product of his character. The source determines the product.
Jesus People will be ______________________________!
1 John 2:29–3:1 (ESV) — 29 If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. 1 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Jeremiah 2:12–13 (ESV) — 12 Be appalled, O heavens, at this; be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.
John 4:13–14 (ESV) —13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 7:37–39 (ESV) — 37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
In order to grow in righteousness we must abide in Christ.
We live constantly dealing with two sources and therefore two products. Those who are in Christ have been given a new source to produce righteousness, but they must remain or abide in that source.
Questions to Consider
In what ways does the salvation of Jesus Christ touch my daily living?
Can you think of another way to illustrate, “the source determines the product”?
How are we to live righteous lives? Why is it so hard to do so?
