But We Have a Godly Heritage

Ezekiel 14:12-18

When I was coaching baseball, I had parents and players who were sure to tell me about who their big brother was, or who their dad was. I wasn't from that area so it really did not matter to me about their "family legacy" of athletes. I did not tell them that I didn't care but I can assure you I thought it. This was especially true when the kid trying out was not good. I never took pleasure in cutting any kid from the team. However, it was a necessary process. However, if you came to me with an attitude of entitlement because of your "heritage", it made the process a lot easier. That arrogance was not something that I wanted to deal with for an entire season.

Apparently, when confronted by prophets about their unrighteousness, the people of Israel were fond of name dropping. "Don't you know that Noah, Daniel, and Job are from Israel? How can you say that we are not righteous?" That didn't really change for them. The Pharisees were quick to throw out Abraham's name during Jesus's day. That did not go any better for them than it did for the Jews during Ezekiel's day. You can almost hear God say, "Good for them. What does that have to do with you? You think you have a Godly heritage and I should be impressed?" When it comes to answering for our sins, God does not care what others have done. If anything, others' righteousness only condemns unbelievers more.

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The word of the LORD came again to me, saying, 13 Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: 14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord GOD. 15 If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: 16 Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. 17 Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: 18 Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves.

Ezekiel 14:12-18

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There is no such thing as a bank of righteousness. A few "good" men do not accumulate righteousness that can be divvied out with the unrighteous. God said, "Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness" (v. 14). Interestingly enough, though this is so clearly taught, this was the heresy behind the indulgences that was a major motivator of Martin Luther to stand against the Catholic Church. The only man who was ever righteous enough to store righteousness for others is Jesus Christ. This is known as the doctrine of imputation. Check out what Paul said to the church at Rome.

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Now it was not written for his (Abraham) sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24  But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25  Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 4:23-25

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When we trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, his righteousness is imputed to us. Not only does the Bible say that we receive his righteousness but it also says that Jesus took on our sins.

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For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

II Corinthians 5:21

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I heard someone explain these two texts this way. On the cross, Jesus took off his righteousness and took our sin, our filthy rags, upon himself and died on the cross. Then at salvation, we put on his righteousness. When we stand before God and it is considered why we should be allowed into Heaven, God does not see our filthy rags, but His Son's righteousness. It is this alone that allows us to be admitted into Heaven.

No one can put on Christ's righteousness for me. I must receive Him as my Savior to be able to put on his righteousness. I cannot put it on for someone else. Noah was a great man. Daniel was a great man. Job was a great man. I believe I will see them in Heaven one day. However, their obedience to God did nothing to help me get into Heaven. The only thing they provided was a testimony of Godliness and trusting in Him. That is the same thing I am called to do.

Father, thank you for your Son dying on the cross for my sins. I thank you that he took my sins upon him and paid that awful price. I also thank you that He put His righteousness on me and that is what you will see when I stand before you. Thank you for your Gospel!