We see, then, that righteousness, the state of being received and approved by the Lord, includes both faith in God's promises and also a change in our behavior until we actually are practicing the actions that are pleasing to God.

We cannot emphasize faith and reject the need for godly behavior. We cannot emphasize godly behavior and reject the need for faith. If we select one and reject the other we will make shipwreck of the Christian discipleship.

We cannot earn righteousness by any set of good works, whether of the Law of Moses or of any other religious observance or moral code. The Gospel of Christ is a Divine promise, freely given; and we are approved of God (righteous) when we receive the promise with thanksgiving.

We are not approved of God when we attempt to earn what God is offering to us as a gift (Romans 5:15-17; Ephesians 2:8,9).

It is important to understand that we cannot remain in God's favor by accepting Christ and then living as any other worldly person. Such an approach to salvation is far removed from the teaching of the Lord Jesus and of His Apostles (Romans 8:13; Hebrews 3:11-14).

If we cannot earn the inheritance by righteous works, and yet are required as a part of New Testament righteousness to grow each day in godly character and behavior, how, then, do these two aspects of righteousness fit together?

Faith and godly behavior fit together in the new covenant concept of fruit—the fruit of the new creation.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)

If a person truly receives by faith Christ as his Lord and Savior, a new creation will be seen in his personality. The new creation is Christ in him. The new creation does the will of God by nature because it is born of God (I John 3:9; 5:4).

If—and this is important to understand!—over a period of years there is no transformation of the personality, then that individual is not in Christ. His faith is dead. He does not possess saving faith.

The God of Heaven requires the fruit of godly behavior as a part of salvation by faith. In fact, it is the godly behavior that is the proof of salvation and is the salvation.

For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: but that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned. (Hebrews 6:7,8)

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2)

The two passages quoted above give us insight into the seriousness with which God views the bringing forth of Christ's righteous Nature in the saints.

The healthy, growing Christian will bear the fruit of Christ-likeness in his personality. If over a period of time there is no change in the personality, no growth in righteous behavior, then something has gone wrong. Spiritual sickness is present. Spiritual death will occur unless steps are taken to correct the deficiencies.

To be continued.