12- Jehovah-Tzidqenu
Jehovah-Tzidqenu "The Lord our RIGHTEOUSNESS"
It is God who justifies." There can be no justification without a righteousness. By nature we have none, nor can we procure such - unless Jehovah becomes incarnate, is made under the law, honors the precept by obeying it, and removes the threatening by enduring it. "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness, to every one who believes." The righteousness by which we are justified, is "the righteousness of God."
Immanuel was made sin for us, "who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." All that the law required of us - he performed; all that justice demanded of us - he paid. God is now well pleased for Christ’s righteousness sake, for he magnified the law and made it honorable. This obedience of Christ, is revealed in the gospel, to be received by faith, and whoever will may take it freely. It is called "The gift of righteousness." It justifies us completely and forever. It is the work of God bestowed on needy man; it flows from grace, and becomes ours by believing. "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
Convinced soul, you feel sin, you fear wrath, you doubt mercy - but cheer up! Through Jesus Christ is preached unto you, the forgiveness of sins - and by him all who believe are justified from all things. The Righteousness of Christ is all that is necessary for your justification. This is set before you in the gospel, and you have only to receive it as God’s free gift, and be thankful for it. Do you feel unholy? He "justifies the ungodly." Are you unable to do any good thing? "God imputes righteousness without works." This is his name whereby he is now known, "The Lord Our Righteousness." Jeremiah 23:6.
All that the law requires - he presents.
All that the sinner needs - he bestows.
Only receive him, trust simply in him - and everlasting life is yours. The righteous judge is your justifying friend - for the offended God is your gracious Savior. He says, "I have blotted out your sins as a cloud! Look unto me and be saved." Enter into Christ, as Noah into his ark! Flee to this Savior as the manslayer to the city of refuge! Embrace this glorious provision of your gracious God, and you may sing, "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness - as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels!" Your title to Heaven is clear, your acceptance with God is certain.
Righteousness is by believing - not by working. Our own doings must be renounced. Our faith must receive Jesus, as our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption. And we must venture entirely on him for life and salvation. One act of precious faith brings justification, because it receives Christ: "For in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And you are complete in him!" Look not at self, at your doings, or your sins! If these keep you from Jesus; but look unto him, trust also in him, and peace, and contentment, and glory are yours. My God how perfect are your ways! But mine polluted are;
Sin twines itself about my heart, And slides into my prayer.
Let others in the gaudy dress Of imagined merit shine; The Lord shall be my righteousness, The Lord forever mine!