The Righteousness of God is manifested…by faith of Christ Jesus (Romans 3:21-22)

Romans 3:21-22 (KJV) ²¹  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²²  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe.

In the ancient Chinese language developed more than 4000 years ago, there are characters that cannot be fully explained except in the book of Genesis. How did our Chinese ancestors learn this knowledge of life with the living and true God? It is indeed worthy of our investigation. In the Lunar New Year celebrations, we often display the Chinese character pronounced “fu” (shown below) which means “blessedness” or “happiness”. The desire is that the New Year may bring happiness to the family.

福

If you would analyse and dissect the character, the left radical is the shortened form of the radical for “God” written “神”.

The right radical of “fu” begins with “one” written “一 ”.

The radical for “mouth” written “口” signifying a “man”

And the radical for “farm” signifying the “garden” written “田”.

The pictorial message is that the man with God is true blessedness.

This was the blessed life of Adam with God recorded in Genesis 1-2. Adam’s blessed relationship with his Creator God was broken when Adam partook the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam fell from righteousness. He had the right relationship as long as he did not eat of that forbidden fruit. When he ate of it, the fellowship with God was broken as a result of his disobedience.

The Bible tells us his eyes were opened, he knew he was naked. Sin causes shame, and he sewed fig leaves together and made himself an apron to cover his shame and he hid himself from the presence of God, the guilt of sin plagued his conscience. The self-concocted cloak of “making right with God” or “righteousness” could not help soothe his guilt-ridden conscience (Romans 2:15). Sin causes not only shame but also fear. When asked why he was hiding, Adam answered, “I was afraid, because I was naked” (Genesis 3:10). Is there no recourse for the fallen man? Yes, God intervened.

Genesis 3:21 tells us that God initiated a way out for him. God reached out to the guilt-stricken, fear-filled, shame-plagued heart of our first parents to provide a solution – “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins and clothed them”, a pre-figuring of the redemption work of Christ.

This is the grace of God first manifested to man and recorded for our comfort from the Scriptures. Did they deserve God’s favour? They were in a pitiful state as a result of their disobedience. How can a man be restored to the state of true blessedness with God?

God in compassion provided the solution. The ancient Chinese knew this truth and recorded for us vividly in the word for “righteousness” or “義”. It shows how sinful man can make right with the living and true God.

This is the Chinese character for righteousness pronounced “Yi” is given here:-

我 + 羊 = 義

The top radical is a lamb or sheep. And the bottom radical is “I” or “me”. The Lamb of God covers me giving to me this “righteousness”. It pre-figures the coming of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world (John 3:16-17).

Jesus was born into human history more than 2000 years ago, lived a perfect life, died on the cross as man’s substitute to reconcile man with the living and true God. Jesus rose from the dead the third day victorious over sin and death. Jesus gives to every man who repents of his sins and would believe in Him eternal life. All who receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour by faith receive this righteousness and enjoys the blessedness of life with God. For Adam, it was that coat of skin, that took away the guilt of sin and restored his state of blessedness with God.

This salvation in Jesus Christ is given freely by God’s grace although it was bought with a great price. This is the good news of the blessedness of life with God by faith in Christ Jesus. There is peace and there is joy, there is hope, there is help, there is healing from the ravages of sin in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Yours lovingly,

Pastor Lek Aik Wee