Growing In Christ: From God's Righteousness To His Holiness To Complete Redemption

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: KJV 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. NIV

Some translations render this as a list of four distinct and equal items: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Other translations indicate that wisdom of God includes righteousness, holiness, and redemption. . . . "wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption". This would seem to say that the wisdom from God = righteousness, holiness and redemption or at least includes righteousness, holiness, and redemption. This second translation appears to be more true to the original and it explains why Solomon said that wisdom is the principle thing.

A Greek scholar gave the following literal translation: "and out of HIM (God- last word of the previous sentence), you are (rooted,exist, live, breath and move) in Christ Jesus, who has (passively) become wisdom for us from God (HIM of the opening of the sentence), both righteousness and holiness and free redemption." He further said that the Greek adds the word, te. Te identifies the elements of wisdom but not exhaustively in this verse. So, the verse says that the elements of wisdom include righteousness, holiness. and free redemption. Wisdom is not limited to these three elements, but they are included in wisdom.

Just a few verses prior, in the 24th verse, Paul makes a parallel between Jesus and wisdom. 1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Here, wisdom is Jesus. Jesus is both the power and wisdom of God.

Leading up to the birth of Christ, the term, Wisdom, was more meaningful to the Jews than it is in the twenty-first century. In Proverbs wisdom is spoken of as an eternal person and as God.

It is plain that it is only through Christ that we can receive righteousness, holiness and free redemption.

Romans 6:19 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.

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Notice the sequence. First, we recieve the righteousness that comes from God. Then, we yield our members to God's righteousness. Then, the process leads to true holiness . . . over time . . . from glory to glory. The final result is total redemption, everlasting life.

Proverbs 24:3 Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: 24:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. 3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

Proverbs 3:19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Col 1:9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Deut 4:6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

Ephesians 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Getting born again is your first step with God.

Our Christian walk is progressive.  Anyone who walks in the Spirit will experience a walk from faith to greater faith to even greater faith.  It is a walk from grace to more abundant grace.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.  Romans 1:17

2Corithians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Ephesians 4:11 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

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