#The Gift of Righteousness

[thinkingonscripture]

God's Gift of Righteousness

The Bible reveals that God imputes His righteousness to the believer at the moment of salvation. The word imputation itself is an accounting term used both in the Old Testament and the New Testament (Gen 15:6; Psa 32:2; Rom 4:3-8; Gal 3:6). Biblically, there are three major imputations that relate to our standing before God. First is the imputation of Adam’s original sin to every member of the…

[forgodsoloved7]

September 2023

1אַל־תִּירָ֣א Transliteration: Al tira  Genesis 14 gives us the account of the kings; Chedorlaomer, Tidal, Amraphel, and Arioch going to war with the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela. The four kings defeat the five and during this victory the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fall into tar pits [Genesis 14:10]. During this battle Lot is taken captive of the four kings and Abram…

[kdmiller55]

It’s Time To Grow Up

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature,…

[i-dreamed-i-had-a-son]

“because he never accepts that it's never been about righteousness--it's about repentance.” except javert killing himself IS repentance.

well, it’s like 12 different things, because bro had gone days without sleeping and very little food and water and he already had low self-worth and kept asking the amis to kill him and just assumed he was going to die AND THEN valjean upended his understanding of the world and morality. he was really going through it & there are a lot of overlapping reasons for why he jumps into the seine.

but javert is like Number One Most Responsible guy in the whole story. taking responsibility is his Thing (forever bitter the musical doesn’t include the punish me monsieur le maire scene). how else, in his derailment, could he atone for his conceived misdeeds other than by handing in his resignation to god? in the brick he had already left a note urging his superiors to treat convicts at toulon better, which is another step in his repentance (and another crime the musical commits by not including it). jumping into the seine was another step.

honestly a lot of ppl who like the book think the musical was dead wrong to exclude him from the big heaven group sing, because it COMPLETELY undermines the themes of forgiveness and compassion threaded throughout les mis. like the musical was simply wrong lol.

This is helpful context! I am still finishing the brick, although I have fully read the abridged version, and that detail about the letter wasn't included, so I didn't know that occurred! (And thank you for the message--this is a long response but I'd love to hear more of your thoughts!)

I agree that Javert is certainly deeply distraught and remorseful; like you mentioned, his worldview is literally falling apart, and his actions reflect his mental state. But his death isn't really repentance--in the sense that it's not what God would have wanted. To me it reads like a Judas situation: a desperate realization of a huge mistake, and doing the only thing you think can make it right, namely, ending it all. That's the just punishment for someone so wrong, isn't it?

But true repentance, meaning the repentance that the Lord desires, is about changing your ways, not "paying a price." Had Javert really understood the beauty of Valjean's mercy (an image of Christ's, just as the bishop's undeserved mercy was to Valjean himself), rather than killing himself, he would have lived to also become "an honest man"--in heart. One who could forgive and understand forgiveness, for himself as well as others. One who could recognize that he is not The Law, that he can fall, but that he can also be "brought to the light." One who could accept that men like Valjean, and men like himself, CAN change, and be changed.

It's tragic to me because so much of "Stars," and his character in the book as well as the musical, is about wanting to be righteous, to rise above his birth and the sinfulness he associates it with. It's about wanting to please the Lord by his actions. But in his end, he shows he never understood what God really wanted from him, and that's where my original phrase comes in: not righteousness, but repentance. To live, and face the man you were, knowing it's no longer the man you are. That it's never been about what you've done or can do, but about what's been done for you. That's the Gospel that he could never fully accept.

To use another example you mentioned, that misunderstanding drives why he asks the Mayor (Valjean) to punish him--in his worldview, mercy is unjust, or at the very least, unfair. Evil must be punished; "those who fall like Lucifer fell" receive "the sword." But "as it is written," God "desires mercy, not sacrifice" (Matthew 9:13). God would have wanted Javert to live, and Javert couldn't see that, and that's why it's devastating to me. In his misunderstanding of the heart of God, he misses what would have set him free from the chains of sin he's always been trying to escape.

That's why he's contrasted with Valjean, who (though he carries guilt about his past till the end of his life) is eventually able to face it and confess what he had done to those he loves. He knew there was mercy to be found, if only it was asked for. Javert was too blinded by pride and shame to realize it, and so, while broken, he never was able to truly repent.

For that, you must go on.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

The Gift of God is Eternal Life in Jesus Christ

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. — Romans 6:16-23 | Cambridge Paragraph Bible (CAMB) The Cambridge Paragraph Bible of the Authorized English Version, by Scrivener, Frederick Henry Ambrose, 1813-1891. Published by Cambridge University Press. Cross References: Genesis 2:17; Genesis 4:7; Job 33:27; Proverbs 11:19; Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 4:23; Matthew 6:24; Luke 4:18; Luke 20:16; John 8:32; John 8:34; Romans 1:8; Romans 3:5; Romans 6:1-2; Romans 7:4; 1 Corinthians 14:6

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What does it mean that the wages of sin is death?

[heartofaangel01]

Amen 🙏🏻

[pearlsforthesoul]

CHARACTER: don't live without this (spiritual)

How important is breathing? The beating of your heart? The ability to get up and go? Character missing on any human being is not a pretty sight to behold or experience. If we were to learn one thing in this brief journey here on earth, let it be on how to live correctly and not just exist but be an example of something higher at work. Character is that highness STOP THIS LEAK When someone is…

[kmac4him1st]

Tell The Truth

We are anchored in the truth of God and this anchor will hold in these crazy culturally chaotic times. God bless you and yours!

Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you. And to be transformed as you embrace the glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong to him in the realm of true holiness. So discard every form of dishonesty and lying so that you will be known as one who…

[the-pharmacology-specialist]

The Gifts of Truth, Righteousness and Peace

Ephesians 6:14-15 Truth Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist. The belt worn by Roman soldiers symbolized their rank and allegiance to their respective sides in battle. Thus, we steadfastly uphold the representation of the deity we serve in the face of adversity, standing for truth. Above all, it is the God of truth who stands for us. A soldier in an army does not…

[itsfarmerphil]

W19D3: How will today play out? Speedbump? Big climb? Launch ramp?

As I get up this morning and head to the middle of the work week, I look to God for wisdom to understand how today will play out. Will today be a day that is a speedbump towards where I’m heading? Could today be the day we make it to the top of the big climb? Might today be a day that launches us to where we are going like a launch ramp towards finishing the week strong? God only knows and I need…

[e-c-i-m]

Dear Child of God,

Jesus help us to be more wiser & mature!

Love, ECIM

Video: Canva Music: Time - Manuel Gardner Fernandes

[mindfulldsliving]

Alma 13:1-19 and Redemption Through Priesthood Ordinances

Understanding how Alma 13 applies to our lives today can help us see the continued importance of priesthood ordinances and principles in guiding us to Jesus Christ.

How Priesthood Ordinances in Alma 13:1-19 Point Me to Jesus Christ for Redemption Understanding the priesthood ordinances in Alma 13:1-19 is pivotal for both Latter-day Saints and Evangelical Christians seeking a deeper connection to Jesus Christ. These verses outline the purpose and divine nature of the priesthood, illustrating how it guides believers toward redemption through Christ’s…

[forgodsoloved7]

1אַל־תִּירָ֣א

Transliteration: Al tira  Genesis 14 gives us the account of the kings; Chedorlaomer, Tidal, Amraphel, and Arioch going to war with the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela. The four kings defeat the five and during this victory the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fall into tar pits [Genesis 14:10]. During this battle Lot is taken captive of the four kings and Abram pursues them and…

[friarmusings]

Righteous Deeds

I have always wondered about the practice of nonprofit fundraising and especially large capital campaigns that offer naming opportunities to attract seven-, eight-, and nine-figure donations from high-net-worth individuals. As far back as the first century CE, Roman general Marcus Agrippa had his name inscribed on the Pantheon temple. The practice continues today as expressions of civic…

[the-big-picture-bible-blog]

The Righteousness of God

In Romans, Paul tells of the “abundance of grace” and “the gift of righteousness” (Rom.5:17) bestowed by God to those who believe in His Son for salvation.��The Bible tells us that no one is blameless before God without this gift of grace. Paul writes, “There is none righteous, not even one,” showing his empathy for those trying to establish their own righteousness (Rom.10:3), which is futile…

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

For if because of the offense of one, death reigned, all the more, those who receive an abundance of favor and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by the agency of The One, Yeshua The Messiah. — Romans 5:17 | Peshitta Holy Bible Translated (PESH) The Peshitta Holy Bible Translated by Glenn David Bauscher Copyright © 2018 Lulu Publishing; 3rd edition Copyright © 2019. Cross References: Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:6; Genesis 3:19; Romans 5:12; Romans 5:15; Romans 6:14; 1 Corinthians 15:21

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Three Great Contrasts - Romans 5:12-17