Christ`s Glorious Character: Part 3. Righteous, Mercy, Goodness.

Marilyn C

Marilyn C

RIGHTEOUS

Righteousness is that which is straight and accurate, wholly devoid of duplicity, double dealing, deviation or deceit.

`Gracious is the Lord, and righteous.` (Ps. 116: 5)

Christ is King of Righteousness.

` King of righteousness.` (Heb. 7: 2)

No one is qualified to be King of righteousness except He who is wholly and altogether Righteous. Therefore we know perfectly well that He will never be unfaithful, untruthful, unmerciful, or unreliable in anything He declares or does.

His majestic pre-eminence -

`A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of your kingdom.` (Heb. 1: 8) `Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness.` (Isa. 32: 1)

Christ gives the gift of Righteousness.

Christ is inherently and essentially righteous. He is the absolute standard of divine righteousness in expression. And what Christ is, in His character, God has made available to us.

`But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ..` (1 Cor. 1: 30)

This is the righteousness which is of God by faith. Righteousness is the passion of our saviour`s heart and is promoted by love.

`Your throne, O God is forever and ever; a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.` (Heb. 1: 8 & 9)

Apart from this fact there is no remission of sins, no redemption from bondage, no reconciliation to God, no resurrection of the dead, and no reception into the family of God and the Father`s house.



All the compassionate benefits Christ bestows, all His blessings, His truths, His holiness are all based on His righteousness of Character. God`s purpose in sending forth Jesus Christ the Righteous is to make this precious gift available to man.

Imparted righteousness adds manliness to morality, sincerity to sympathy, faithfulness to fervour, confidence to courage, permanence to peace....... No excellence in Christian character is so upright and just, and no feature in godliness so desirable as righteousness.

`...those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.` (Rom. 5: 17)
 
MERCY

`Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.` (Heb. 2: 17)

Mercy is what man needs most of all in his relationship with the Most High. The Hebrew word for mercy is derived from the root which means to bow, to bend, to stoop, and indicates the compassionate attitude which God has towards mankind.

The ark in the Holy of Holies, contained God`s Holy Law, so the mercy seat above it showed that mercy intervened between heaven`s holy law and humanity`s terrible sin.

What heartening news this is from the Most High, which tells of a gracious Mediator with abundant mercy in His outstretched hands for mortal man, to safeguard him from the penalty of sin.

Mercy steps down.

The Lord in His highly exalted dignity, would certainly need to stoop low even when condescending to speak with a regal prince, but a much lower stoop is necessary to give mercy on those poor and in poverty.

Moved by divine love to mediate for man, the Son of God met every requirement of the righteous justice of God. This He accomplished by His substitutionary death on man`s behalf and afterwards rose again, ascended to present Himself in the heavenly sanctuary.

Mercy raises up.

Therefore Christ, the anointed One, has the right to be heaven`s mediator between God and man. He is now able to minster the tender mercy of God`s gracious kindness and compassionate care for the lasting blessing of the redeemed.

The angelic hosts on high heard the announcement as His Royal Highness told Paul -

`that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness towards us..` (Eph. 2: 7)

Such riches of His kindness, in so costly a manner on such as were devoid of merit. Christ raises up the redeemed so that He may set him on Christ`s very own throne.

Mercy`s song.

Oh what wondrous love and mercy he has showered upon us. We should meditate more upon His tender mercy and gaze more intently on His kindly grace and look more earnestly into His wondrous pity until our hearts burn with gratitude and we learn to sing the melody of that mercy that saved our souls.

Not with silver or gold, but He Himself purged our sins, for He bore in His own body our sins on the tree. This is mercy`s deep unfathomed sea, love eternal, love to me. God now invites me to meet Him and I have no fear of responding, for the merciful High priest stands with me.
 
GOODNESS

`Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!` (Ps. 136: 1)

God`s goodness is the sincerity of His pure character that acts sacrificially in seeking and saving the lost. All His mercies and blessings, (physical and spiritual) emphasize the generosity of His great goodness.



The Good Shepherd`s care.

King David describes the Lord`s goodness like a Shepherd`s care over his flock. Having been a shepherd himself, David knows very well the care, oversight and protection needed constantly, for a shepherd to guard and protect the sheep while they graze in pastures green.

`The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters, He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name`s sake.` (Ps. 23: 1 - 3)

What a great picture of the care the Lord has for us as we daily feed upon His Word; know His love changing us and His guidance as we walk close to Him.



The Good Shepherd`s Protection.

`Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies;` (Ps. 23: 4 & 5)

In this earthly journey towards death we know that the Lord is with us. His shepherd`s rod chastises us when going astray, while His staff will draw us back to the fold. Comfort and encouragement by His Holy Spirit minister`s to our heart as we feast upon Him who so loves us and appreciate His goodness towards us.



The Good Shepherd`s Equipping.

`You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.` (Ps. 23: 5 & 6)

Anointing is for ministry and as we learn to walk close to the Shepherd out of our life will flow His goodness and mercy towards others.

Our heart will overflow with thankfulness not only of the Lord saving our souls, but also of working through us, helping us to receive the joy of being fruitful in every good work.
 
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