HOW A RIGHTEOUS MAN.......Partners with God to achieve divine Agenda

Ref:  Mathew 1: 1-25

• Joseph was a just man, his wife, Mary a prayerful virgin
• Mathew, the Tax Collector rose to become the Author of Mathew
• Joseph and Mary live in marital fidelity till the birth of Christ 
• They chose to honour God at the expense of their reputation and pleasure.

INTRODUCTION:

This is the story of Joseph and Mary's faithfulness to God in bringing the plan of God to a success.  It also marks the beginning of a systematic review of all the books of the New Testament, in the hope that the Holy Spirit will guide our study and open our eyes of understanding to the scriptures.

Mathew is the 40th book of the Bible with 28 Chapters and 1,071 verses. It was authored by Mathew, also called Levi, the Tax collector, son of Alphaeus and one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ.  Mathew was believed to have preached the gospel in Judea for close to 15 years before taking the gospel to Ethiopia and beyond. Apostle Mathew was one of the Apostles that did not suffer Martyrdom.

Mathew started with the history of Jesus Christ being the Son of David, the Son of Abraham because Abraham was the first from whose family it was predicted that Messiah should spring (Genesis 22:18) and David was the last to receive the same promise.  Jesus was born 4,200 years after Abraham (42 generations) to show the faithfulness of God and the fact that 1,000 years is like a day for God.

Before we look into the obedience and faithfulness of Joseph, let us note that from verse 18, the bible began to tell the story of Jesus birth and the events and circumstances surrounding it.  We can see that the events leading to his birth and even after, showed that his personality was hidden and He himself never exposed Himself until the time came that He should be manifested for all to see.

Because of these happenings, many did not believe Him when it was revealed because they were ignorant of the many prophesies that went out on Him before conception and birth (Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, 61:1-3, Zechariah 9:9, Isaiah 40:9, 42:1 etc).  

The people that were aware of the prophesies could not believe Him because of their canal thinking. They had thought the Messiah would come with mighty earthly army and power to liberate Israel from her enemies.  But they were wrong, Christ came not with earthly security and heavily armed body guards, rather He can with heavenly angels who guided and ministered to Him.

From verse 18, the story of Christ's birth began to unfold. He was born to Joseph, a just man and Mary, a prayerful young virgin.  This is a perfect combination for a child with strong heavenly mandate on his head - a righteous and holy couple.

The bible already described Joseph as a just man, but Mary's attributes can be deduced from her interaction with angel Gabriel sent from God to her in Galilee (Luke 1:16-31).  She understood the language of the angel, but only wondered how it would come to pass, giving that she knew no man yet.  When the angel answered and said to her "The power of the Holy Ghost shall come upon her", she also understood and responded by saying " Be it unto me according to thy word"

Mary was not just a virgin in Israel, she was a lover of God, who followed the things of God fervently. She knew there was the God of Israel, who leads His people and sends angels with Words and instruction to them.  She knew of the promised Messiah, and the law and kept herself pure in the heart.  Mary was not the only virgin in Israel during her time, but for her to find favour with God, means she had a heart for God, fervent in the spirit and humble. 

The same can be said of Joseph her husband, who discovered she was pregnant and thought it wise and prudent not to disgrace her, but to put her away quietly - To return her to her parents without a quarrel. But while he was still pondering on these things, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him to explain the 'riddle' - That Mary was carrying the promised Messiah, Son of God whose name shall be called JESUS, for He shall save His people from their sins.

The bible recorded that Joseph afterwards cancelled the plan to return her back to the parents. He took her back and she lived with him till she brought forth her first born son JESUS. This young man Joseph demonstrated that the ability to obey God does not depend on age, but reverence.  He further demonstrated discipline, fidelity and self-control expected of a just man.  

Joseph and Mary understood the implication of what God was doing with them and the reason God choose them in the whole Israel and they both of them refrained from marital relationship until Jesus was born. It is important for believers who want God to use them to diligently seek to know God and His ways and live a holy and God fearing life, maintaining purity of heart and good works. 

Joseph obedience meant that many people who lived in the days of Jesus, who did not know about the prophesies about Him, never knew that Jesus was not the biological son of Joseph. Thus Joseph helped to conceal the identity of the Son of God until it was time for His manifestation.  

This secrecy was endorsed by Christ Himself when He stopped the demons from talking because they knew who He was. He often told the disciples to keep his identity secret as it was part of the plan of God - For had they known Him, they would not have crucified Him and that would have delayed the redemption plans of God. 

Thus, Joseph showed how a righteous man can cooperate with the plan of God and facilitate its fulfillment.  He took back his wife without any noise and hid the paternity of the child Jesus Christ, he and his wife Mary, restrained themselves from marital affairs till the birth of JESUS, thus preferring God's plan at the expense of their reputation and pleasure.

Beloved, purify yourselves and you will become a vessel in the hands of the Almighty God.  He is no respecter of persons.  it is written that in every nation and age, he that feareth the Lord and do righteously is accepted (Acts 10:35).  God is looking for vessel even today.  People who would fear Him and work righteously in a corrupt and sinful world like ours.

In what area of areas is God asking you to cooperate in the fulfillment of His plan, it could be in bringing up your children in the way of the Lord, which is a hard task today due to the influence of internet, cable TV and high capacity phones.

Many men of God work tirelessly everyday in the church and in Prayer, without  carrying their wife and children along. Some say they don't want to be distracted, so they lead prayer and evangelism meetings, teaching and encouraging people to amend their way and become better Christians, but their children at home, nobody is motivating them to change.  The congregation change and children of the Pastor remain the same....  Is that right?

So, lets all decide to be counted on the Lord's side today.  Let us forsake idols, lust and corruption, occultism, witchcraft and pursuit of money and power in this world, and turn to God with all our heart, so that God can use us mightily.

What did the bible say about Righteousness

Righteousness Man

He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar.

“If a man is righteous and does what is just and right— if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.

In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times! ( Isaiah , Ezekiel 18:5-9, Romans 8:4-6, Rom 5:1-5, Psalm 106:3)

What did the bible say about Righteousness

1. 1 John 2:29 - If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

2. 1 John 3:7 - Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.

3. Psalm 106:3 - Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!

4. Isaiah 33:15-17 - He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands, lest they hold a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking on evil, he will dwell on the heights; his place of defense will be the fortresses of rocks; his bread will be given him; his water will be sure. Your eyes will behold the king in his beauty; they will see a land that stretches afar.

5. 1 Peter 3:14 - But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled,

6. Matthew 5:20 - For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

7. 1 Peter 5:10 - And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

8. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

9. Romans 10:4 - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

10. 2 Timothy 2:22 - So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

11. 1 John 5:18 - We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.

12. Ezekiel 18:5-9 - “If a man is righteous and does what is just and right— if he does not eat upon the mountains or lift up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, does not defile his neighbor's wife or approach a woman in her time of menstrual impurity, does not oppress anyone, but restores to the debtor his pledge, commits no robbery, gives his bread to the hungry and covers the naked with a garment, does not lend at interest or take any profit, withholds his hand from injustice, executes true justice between man and man, walks in my statutes, and keeps my rules by acting faithfully—he is righteous; he shall surely live, declares the Lord God.

13. Proverbs 2:5-20 - Then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; ...

14. Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

15. Romans 1:17 - For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

16. 1 Peter 2:24 - He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

17. Matthew 5:6 - “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

18. 1 Peter 3:12 - For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

19. Romans 4:3 - For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”

20. 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

21. Proverbs 11:5 - The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.

22. Psalm 34:15 - The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.

23. 1 Timothy 6:11 - But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

24. Philippians 2:13 - For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

25. Psalm 5:12 - For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Beloved, Jesus is coming back soon.  "Where will you spend eternity - In heaven or hell"? This is the time to work-out your salvation.  Now is the acceptable time!

Repent and give your heart to Jesus. He will give you a new life, victory and eternal life.  Will you accept Him today?

FIRE...