Author : Robert P. Holland
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781981013890
Total Pages : 161 pages
Book Rating : 4.0/5 (138 download)
Book Synopsis How to Live a Life of Righteousness Peace and Joy by : Robert P. Holland
Download or read book How to Live a Life of Righteousness Peace and Joy written by Robert P. Holland and published by . This book was released on 2018-05-10 with total page 161 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We were created by God to live a life of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with Him regardless of circumstances (Genesis 1-3). Instructions for living the life He created us to live are found in the Old Testament.The Gospels are the accounts of Jesus both living and teaching us how to live the life of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God.Jesus' death on the cross as the atonement for our sin of 'rejection of living the life God created us to live' gives us another chance to live the life of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God. The First Adam, even on behalf of all unborn generations, missed the mark, but the Second Adam, Jesus Christ, has restored us to this blessed fellowship with the Father of light.The Epistles or Letters in the New Testament are additional instructions given by the Holy Spirit to those who have believed on Jesus to live the life God created them to live.The book of Revelation is an account of those who reject the life of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God and those who have been given another chance through faith in Jesus Christ to live the life God created them to live. Revelation concludes with an eternal separation from God for those who reject God's blueprint for Christian living; and an eternal kingdom, the New Jerusalem, for those who choose the life of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God.There are two levels of righteousness, joy, and peace in fellowship with God as documented in the New Testament. Justification is the first level and is received when we repent of rejecting God's plan for our life and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who died as a substitute for our rejection of that life.Justification is not only being forgiven for rejecting the life God created us to live, but it is being restored to the life of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God as though we had never rejected it. We are righteous by faith, have peace with God , and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2)--righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God.Sanctification is the second level of righteousness. Justification is being restored to the life God created us to live in fellowship with Him. And, sanctification is living the life of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God.The first level of the life God created us to live is found in Romans 5:1-2, and the second level is found in Matthew 5:6, 9, 11-12. The righteous on the first level are justified or righteous by faith (Romans 5:1). On the second level, they are hungering and thirsting after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Those who have peace with God in Romans 5:1 are peacemakers in Matthew 5:9, and those who rejoice in the hope of the glory of God in Romans 5:2 are the ones rejoicing in the times of persecution in Matthew 5:11-12.Rejoicing in the times of persecution (Matthew 5:11-12) is an example of living the life of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God regardless of circumstances. The apostles obeyed the commandment and rejoiced in the times of persecution (Acts 4:24-31; 7:54-60; 16:16-25).In Romans 8:35, Paul asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Then, he lists some of the things that happen to those who are living the life God created them to live.Paul concludes chapter eight by writing that nothing shall be able to separate those living the life God created them to live from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Each chapter of How to Live a Life of Righteousness Peace and Joy REGARDLESS OF CIRCUMSTANCES is an amplification of the two levels of righteousness, peace, and joy in fellowship with God--justification and sanctification.The transition from justification to sanctification is explained through God calling the justified to be disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), priests (Revelation 1:5-6), ministers of reconciliation, and ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).