Remarks From the Reverend

Author’s Note: This is the tenth in a series of from Psalm 146.

“The LORD loves the righteous...” – Psalm 146:8c

Continuing our look at Psalm 146 we find in the last part of verse 8 one more reason to put our trust and hope in the Lord God of Jacob, shifting our trust and hope away from a “prince,” or a “son of man” or “we the people.”

The sixth reason we are to put our trust and hope in the Lord God of Jacob is because “the Lord loves the righteous...” How is this even possible, since God says in Romans 3:10, “there is none righteous, no not one” (see also, Psalm 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 7:20)? Even our best righteous acts are like filthy rags in the sight of the Lord (Isaiah 64:6 ). This is God’s infallible and inerrant assessment of mankind. If there is no one who is righteous, then how can He love anyone? There is no one to “love.” Yet, elsewhere in Scripture there are some sinners who are loved by God though they are lawless and enemies of God (Romans 5:8, 10; John 3:16). So how do we reconcile this apparent contradiction?

Since mankind is not righteous, because of inborn sin, his righteousness must be imputed (credited) to him by God. This imputed righteousness is the righteousness that was earned by Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners (Romans 3:21-26; 4:13-25). How does that work, according to God’s word?

When a sinner is born again by the washing and regenerating work of the Holy Spirit, making him or her alive from being dead in sins and trespasses, he or she is also, by a judicial act of God alone declared “righteous.” Drawing from God’s Word, Heidelberg Catechism #60 expresses it this way, “...God, without any merit of mine, but only of mere grace, grants and imputes to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ, as if I never committed nor had any sins; yes, as if I had fully accomplished all that obedience which Christ has accomplished for me, inasmuch as I embrace such benefit with a believing heart.” In other words, it is only the satisfaction, righteousness and holiness of Christ that is my righteousness before God (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:21-24). Do you see yourself as God sees you: a sinner, helpless to save yourself, hopelessly condemned under the curse of sin, unrighteous before God? Do you understand your need for the righteousness of Jesus Christ to be saved and have a real hope of everlasting life?

So it is that when we read that the Lord God of Jacob loves the righteous, it is those of us who are by faith clothed in the righteousness of Christ, who suffered and died for our sins and rose again after three days securing for us an eternal inheritance. Further, God, by grace alone because of His everlasting love for us, will keep us, protect us and provide for our every need; even if we must endure suffering, pain, sorrow, grief and even death for His name’s sake. Any suffering in this life the righteous endure God will give him or her strength to persevere through it. Consider prayerfully: it is out of God’s love for the righteous that He disciplines them, as a father loves His children (Hebrews 12:5-8) – to test the genuineness of their faith (1 Peter 1:6-9); to train them in producing the “peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11); and to strengthen them in the love and knowledge of our blessed Savior and God, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).

Never forget: God loves without partiality all of us who have been declared righteous, having been justified by faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning working on the cross. He will never leave, nor forsake us especially in perilous times. Therefore, we are not to fear men; fear their threats; fear their painful assaults and torments; fear their degrading and demeaning characterizations of us. We are, most of all, not to fear death (2 Corinthians 5:8) – what a glorious exchange that would be; exchanging the miseries and sufferings of this fallen world for the eternal blessedness and joy in the presence of our heavenly Father to the glory of God. Remember also, because God loves the righteous, He will deliver us from the hand of our enemies either by escaping their grip by an earthly rescue, or by glorious death as a martyr – though you die you will live, as Jesus says (John 11:25-26). Do you believe this? Do you really believe God loves the righteous?

Jesus Christ is the only One to put your hope and trust in, because “He who did not spare His own, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things” and nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:32-39).

Rev. Richard Stetler, of Hartley, is the CEO and founder of Reformation Gospel Ministries. Visit http://www.reformationgospelministries.org for more information.