“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10.

Righteous is defined as the quality of being morally right or justifiable, I remember the evening of my physical baptism, my pastor at the time was Rev. J. J. Jones at Antioch Baptist Church, my mother, Sister Jones, and Deacon Mann all stood around singing a song…and it went “take me to the water, to be baptized…none but the righteous shall see God.”

Man was created perfect and in the image of God, but through the subtilty of Satan, Eve disobeyed God’s command and Adam followed. As a result, sin entered the world…an all humans inherited the deficiency of sin, which brought both physical and spiritual death… complete separation from God. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12.

But God sent His only begotten Son that we would be reconciled back to Him and have eternal life! “And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:10.

Righteousness is imputed or assigned to all men who accept and believe on the spotless Lamb of God and His atonement for our sins on Calvary’s cross. Jesus is that spotless Lamb of God, and He is the way back to God and the ability to live a morally right and justified life now and forever! “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.

So, the old hymn is correct…none but the righteous, shall see God. To have eternal life…you must be born-again. ”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

My friends, trust in the Lord…He is the only way to live “right” with God and your fellowman. Please do not live with the misnomer that the things that you do, and your outward appearance will make you righteous…we can’t wear enough long white dresses to the floor or covering from head to toe to conceal the sin that lives within the heart…but the precious blood of Jesus…can wash away and make us white as snow! “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

All who have been saved by the grace of Almighty God are counted as righteous! For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. It is the power of the Holy Ghost that makes us new creatures in Christ…He leads and guide us in righteousness and has sealed us until the day of redemption.

Are you counted among the righteous- if not, today is the day of salvation-Jesus is calling…let Him in! “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

God’s blessings of peace, joy, and abundant grace be with us all.