by Arthur W. Pink
by Arthur W. Pink
Philologos Religious Online Books
Philologos.org
by Arthur W. Pink
April, 1934
Righteousness
“For the kingdom of God (or our service to Christ) is not (consists not in) meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men” (Rom. 14: 17, 18). By which word “righteousness” he meaneth, as James doth, the royal law, the perfect law, which is the moral precept evangelized or delivered to us by the hand of Christ (James 2:8, 9). The law was given twice at Sinai; the last time it was given with a proclamation of grace and mercy of God, and of the pardon of sins going before: Exodus 19 and 34:1-10. The second giving is here intended: for so it cometh after faith, which first receiveth the proclamation of forgiveness. Hence we are said to do this “righteousness” in the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit. Now he that in these things serveth Christ, is accepted of God, and approved of men. For who is he that can justly find fault with him that fulfilleth the royal law from a principle of faith and love? “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the Scriptures,—Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself—ye do well”; ye are approved of men. Again, he that hath loveth another, hath fulfilled the law, for love is the fulfilling of the law. He then that serveth Christ according to the royal law, from faith and love going before, he is a fit person for church communion. God accepteth him, men approve him. Now, that the royal law is the moral precept read James 2:8-12. It is also called the “law of liberty” because the bondage is taken away by forgiveness going before; and this it is by which we are judged.—John Bunyan, 1660.
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