[Luke 23:39-43]

God
chooses righteousness.
He sent the Word to the world
and the Word is God’s righteousness (Jn 3:16).
Jesus Christ, the Son of Man, who is the Word incarnate
that appeared in this world is righteousness (Mt 6:33).
To choose that righteousness is faith (Deut 30:19-20).
Whoever chooses this righteousness will be saved (Lk 23:42).
Man’s righteous deeds in the flesh will be commended (Mt 25:21)
but they cannot save man.
By having commendable righteous deeds,
we will be rewarded.
By choosing righteousness that saves,
we will have everlasting life.
Righteousness that saves is
different to commendable righteous deeds.
Righteousness that saves is called faith,
whereas commendable righteous deeds
are called blessings (Mt 5:3).
Even the criminal hung on the cross
was saved by choosing God’s righteousness.
Therefore
our souls need to be saved by choosing God’s righteousness.
○ We should be blessed by having righteous deeds
and our souls saved by choosing God’s righteousness.
To seek God’s righteousness is faith.
○ In this world, there are sinners who are to be saved,
and sinners who will perish without salvation.
Only by faith can a sinner be saved.
○ One of the men hung on the cross
is God’s righteousness.
Before we die, we must choose this righteousness.
※ Do not ridicule the one who has been saved.
With our deeds we ought to be blessed,
and saved through God’s righteousness.