We see, then, that righteous behavior is an absolute necessity if we expect to be raised from the dead, and then ascend to meet the Lord, at His appearing. The righteousness of the Kingdom of God is first, imputed; but then if it does not proceed to actual righteousness the believer remains clothed with a dirty robe. He or she will not rise to meet the Lord at His return.

When we think about our own unrighteous character, and then read that we are to come to maturity as measured by the full stature of Christ, we have to make a decision. We can say, as so many are stating today, that it is not possible for us to get rid of our sin. As long as we are in the world we have to sin. But when we get to Heaven, or when the Lord returns, we will be free from sin.

Not only is this unscriptural, according to the sixth chapter of the Book of Romans, but it is not reasonable.

First of all, sin began in Heaven around the Throne of God. Sin is a spiritual phenomenon. Sin did not originate in the Garden of Eden, in the adamic nature of man, but in Heaven. Sin came down from Heaven and entered the garden. How then can we claim that going to Heaven will deliver us from sin?

As to the idea that when Jesus returns we will be delivered from sin, this is partially true, but only for those who have followed the Lord diligently. The Day of the Lord will be a time of revelation and judgment for all people, including the believers.

Deliverance from sin is a reward for obeying the Lord. In the Day of Judgment, each of us will be rewarded according to the choices we have made. If we have done all in our power to follow the Lord, overcoming sin as He has enabled, we will be delivered from the last vestiges of sin. But if we have been wasteful, negligent, careless, we will be rewarded accordingly.

The Day of the Lord will not deliver us from what we are but will reveal what we are. If we are a faithful, diligent disciple, then this will be revealed and we will be rewarded accordingly. If we have been lukewarm, then we will be vomited from the Lord's mouth. We will not be clothed in the white garments of righteous conduct.

So we must face our own behavior today. Either we have faith that the Lord Jesus can deliver us totally and fill us with His own righteous personality, or else we do not have faith that the Lord Jesus can deliver us totally and fill us with His own righteous personality.

Either we believe He can make us a new creation or we do not believe He can make us a new creation. If we remain undecided we have decided He cannot change us. There is no middle ground.

Either we have faith for moral transformation or we do not have faith for moral transformation. In the Day of the Lord we shall be rewarded for the choice we have made and our consequent behavior.

To be continued.