The Righteousness of the Law
The sermon emphasizes the availability of divine righteousness that transforms us to be like Christ, fulfilling the law in us, not by our efforts.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes that while no one is perfect, it is essential to strive for righteousness through Christ, who offers a divine righteousness that transforms our very being. He explains that this righteousness is not just about forgiveness but involves a deep union with Christ, aligning our thoughts, feelings, and desires with His. Simpson encourages believers to open their hearts to receive this transformative power, which enables them to fulfill the righteousness of the law not by their own efforts but through Christ living in them.
Text
Do you know the mistake you may be making? You may be saying: "It is not possible for me to be good; no one ever was perfect, and it is no use for me to try." I agree with the first sentence, "No one ever was perfect." But I cannot agree with the second, "There is no use in trying." There is a divine righteousness available to you. I don't mean merely that which pardons your sins-I believe that, too, but I mean far more. I mean the righteousness that comes into your soul and unites itself with the fibers of your being.
I mean Christ-your life, your purity-who makes you feel as He feels, think as He thinks, love as He loves, hate as He hates, and [partake] of the divine nature.
That is God's righteousness-that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, not by us but in us. it is not our hands and feet merely, but our very instincts, our very desires, our very natures springing up in harmony with His own. Have you received Him? He will come and fulfill all right things in you if today you will open your heart.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Mistake of Unattainable Perfection
- A. We acknowledge no one is perfect
- B. But we must not give up trying
- II. The Availability of Divine Righteousness
- A. It's not just forgiveness, but transformation
- B. It's a union of Christ with our being
- III. The Fulfillment of the Law
- A. Not by our efforts, but by His presence
- B. Harmony of our nature with God's
- IV. Receiving Christ for Transformation
- A. Open your heart to Him
- B. He will fulfill all right things in you
Key Quotes
“That is God's righteousness-that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, not by us but in us.” — A.B. Simpson
“He will come and fulfill all right things in you if today you will open your heart.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must not give up trying to be good, even if we think we can't be perfect.
- Receiving Christ's presence in our lives is the key to transformation and fulfilling the law.
- Opening our heart to Christ allows Him to come in and fulfill all right things in us.