Righteousness

Righteousness
by Pete Berardi

II Peter 3:13

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Righteousness is what separates all believers in Christ from nonbelievers. In II Corinthians 6:14 Paul says that righteousness should have nothing to do with unrighteousness. Matthew 5:6 states that blessed are those that hunger and thirst after righteousness. What is righteousness?

Our first instinct in answering this question would be to say “Righteousness means doing the right thing”. Although this is partly correct, a believer’s righteous actions are merely fruit of the true meaning of righteousness.

In Romans 3:10 Paul states that there are no righteous people in the world no not even one. Paul goes on to explain what this righteousness and how people can obtain in. Righteousness is being just and free and guilt. When we are born, we are born sinners. Our lack of the Holy Spirit within us makes us unworthy to come before God. Our sin, which was passed to us from Adam, makes us unjust. Righteousness makes us just and it is given to us by faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:22 states: Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans 3:26 states: To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

When a person believes in Jesus he becomes justified by Jesus. This is why, as believers, we are constantly looking for places here on earth where righteousness dwells. Yes, Peter in II Peter 3:13 is referring to the New Jerusalem which will be our eternal resting place when the Lord returns at the end of the world. However, while on this earth, it is very common for Christians to seek righteousness. This world is full of unrighteousness. The Devil has a stranglehold on this world and has convinced many people that Jesus and his saving faith is a lie. As Christians it is very hard to coexist in this kind of hostile environment. Christians seek areas of righteousness where we can celebrate our salvation, give God glory and be free from the damnation and temptation of the world.

This is the fruit of righteousness that was mentioned earlier. When one becomes righteous, he seeks to be righteous. Galatians 5:22 states “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

In Spirit and In Truth

In Spirit and In Truth

Sunday mornings mean different things to different people. Traditionally Sunday is known for the time of the week where one makes time for church going activities. I can remember when I was a child how my sister and I would have to dress up in our uncomfortable shoes and clothes and head over to the local church. Since I went to the same school as the church, I often saw my classmates and their parents. Sometimes there was a bit of a tiff between my Mother and Father because the Bears were playing at the same time as Mass. I was raised Catholic and back then we called it Mass.

As I got older church became less and less important. In fact in my early twenties my belief was that church and believers in God were for the weak and I avoided it all costs. Since I found Jesus, I have attended several different church services. Born again Christians have Church Service on Sunday mornings. There was always a certain joy that is different from any other that is derived from attending church service. Most of the time, I felt that the pastor was speaking directly to me as he preached his sermon. Often times I felt as if I was leaving a different person than I was when I walked in; being changed in my heart.

I spent some time living at the San Diego Rescue Mission where they conduct chapel services. Chapel is a sincere, solemn time of praise and worship. The basic format that the San Diego Rescue Mission would follow went something like this: Scripture Reading, Opening Prayer, Hymns, Sermon, Closing Prayer, Closing Song, and Farewell. I have attended hundreds of chapel services and the feelings were similar with the Church Services described above, although with one difference. At Chapel I felt connected to the congregation. I felt a sense of brotherhood that is indescribable. The Bible states that we are chosen to be saved and given a gift of grace. When attending Chapel, I felt that everyone was my family and that we were all there for the purpose of serving God.

Jesus commands us in the gospels to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. There are many churches that conduct their worship service in the correct manner. There are many that do not. I believe that worshipping God is a serious matter and should be taken seriously by the administers as well as by the attendees. Also, it is important to note that rituals can be the unnecessary distraction that detracts from worshipping God in the correct way.

Although the Bible commands in Hebrews to not forsake the assembling of the brethren, there is something to be said for having a church service alone. By praying and reading and singing in the privacy of your own home, one can be comfortable and do what one feels is right at his own discretion. There is no one to give you the eye as you sing. There are no babies crying. There are no unnecessary rituals. God knows our hearts and the Bible contains many verses that place the condition of the heart above the showmanship of outwardly actions.

GO TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY AND WORSHIP YOUR CREATOR!

War! What is it good for?

WAR! What is it good for?

Today on the way to run errands on a fairly brisk Saturday in San Diego I was stopped by a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ. He handed me a pamphlet that read “Who Would Jesus Bomb Today”. Its funny how the Lord works because I spend ninety percent of my time indoors and for the one half hour that I am outside, he sent me this messenger of his word. Perhaps I was the messenger to him.

This brave faithful man quoted multiple verses of scripture that would indicate that Jesus would never bomb anyone and that war was Biblically incorrect. On the back of this pamphlet was typed in bold letters “As Christians we walk as Jesus walked. Let us Love as Christ Loved, An unconditional Love of both friends and enemies, A love that is stronger than our fears.

This is a very deep and moving statement because it is not only true but it is relevant today when our nation is involved in a very serious war with the radical insurgents in Iraq. It was especially moving for me because I believe that war is Biblically correct.

I always carry a Bible with me. I hardly ever need to use it. Today I did. I showed Stu the verse which I have quoted several times to other anti-evangelical right voices.
Romans 13:1-3 reads:

Let every soul be subject unto higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same.

This verse is so powerful because it shows the sovereignty of God and how he influences the world. Quite simply this verse makes four points.
1. The government that is in place today is there because God put it there
2. The government is put there to rid evil of the world and protect the good
3. Don’t be evil, be good.

It really is that simple. This may be very hard for some people to swallow because each person has their own idea of what good and evil is. It may also be hard to accept because we as human beings cannot see the big picture. The fact is that only God can decide what is good and what is evil. And only God is omnipotent. His power allows him to see into the future and make changes according to his will.

By realizing that God is in control, we can rest easy and know that he will protect us from evil. War is an ugly, terrible, horrific yet necessary thing.

Vengeance

Vengeance
by Pete Berardi

Unfortunately in this harsh, dog eat dog world, people do bad things to each other. Whether a person physically harms another or one of his loved one’s, infringes on his personal rights, steals from him, or any other misconduct, the reaction for most people is to take revenge. The feeling of revenge I believe stems from two things. One, the victim has the feeling that he is being taken advantage of and needs to protect his dignity and pride. Two, the victim wants to regain what he has lost. Everyday millions of dollars are spent on high priced lawyers who are hired to take vengeance upon another. Gang warfare in our cities is mostly motivated by vengeance. Vengeance is a vicious circle with dire consequences and can be compared to the family feuds in folklore. Vengeance can be never ending and can cause irreparable harm to all that are involved.

With God none of this has to be the case. As Christians we are taught that God will take vengeance for us against any who hurt us. One of the first acts of vengeance in the Bible involves Moses and one of his Jewish brothers. His Israelite brother was being attacked by an Egyptian and Moses did not stand for it. He killed that Egyptian and took vengeance for his Israelite brother. This is very symbolic of what God does for us. The Israelite people of the Bible are a symbol for who God’s people are today. Moses is a figure of God. The Egyptian represents the world who seeks to take advantage of the Christian.

The Bible refers to vengeance several times. It gives the reader clear instructions on how to react when someone wrongs you. Romans 12:19 states: avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord. As Christians we are to give up all of our rights that we are entitled to in this world. We are to trust that God is watching over us and will protect us. For a Christian to take revenge upon another is a sin. Matthew 5:5 states: Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth. Jesus’ teachings dictate to us that we are to not take vengeance for ourselves as well. Many of us are familiar with Matthew 5:39 which reads: Whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

This may seem foolish to many. Many in the world would say that this philosophy on life will only lead to misery. By living like this one would be taken advantage of constantly and will be a failure in life. I disagree. I believe that our sole purpose in life is to please God. If the Bible says for us to not take vengeance, to turn the other cheek, and to rely on God for our protection, then I feel that is the best attitude to have.

From a practical standpoint, someone has to stop the vicious circle. If everyone continued to take vengeance on people that wronged them with no forgiveness, the world would be filled with hate and violence. By following God’s suggestions in the Bible, we can promote peace and good will towards men. Our true reward will come when Jesus returns for his chosen people and takes us to heaven with him.