1 Corinthians 15:56

"Now death's stinger is sin, and sin's power is the law".

"How did it (the Law) do so? How does it still do so? How does sin use the Law of God to deceive us? How is it that 'the strength of sin is the law'? First sin deceives us into mis-using the Law. It persuades us that nothing matters but actions and that desires, imaginations and so on do not count at all. It persuades us to believe that if we have not performed an actual evil dead we remain free from sin ... As long as I am not committing those actions I am keeping the Law and I am therefore justifying myself in the sight of God".

Reference: Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones - "Exposition of Chapter 7:1 - 8:4 - The Law: It's Functions and it's Limits" - Banner of Truth, Edinburgh (1995) - (p155).

Romans 5:20

"The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more".

"The Law not only increases our knowledge of sin and not only strengthens our conviction of sin but because of what sin has done to us, it actually makes us sin and incites us to sin.

Because of what sin has done to us, because it has perverted our very nature and because it has such a grip on our hearts, the very Law that tells us not to do things creates within us a desire to do them all the more".

Reference: Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones - "Exposition of Chapter 5 - Assurance" - Banner of Truth, Edinburgh (1998) - (p293).

Romans 5:20

"The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more".

"It (the Law) came alongside, says Paul, 'in order that the offence might abound'. The word 'offence' refers to Adam's offence. And that ... includes our offences also ... so when he says, 'that the offence might abound' - he is referring to the sin of Adam and to all the sins of men ever since. The Law has come in alongside in order that this sin, these actual sins and offences might abound - that is to say 'might increase' or 'be augmented'.

What then is the function of the Law according to the Apostle? It has been brought in alongside in order that the offence, the sins might abound".

Reference: Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones - "Exposition of Chapter 5 - Assurance" - Banner of Truth, Edinburgh (1998) - (p285).

Isaiah 53 and Isaiah 54

"Isaiah 54:14; "In righteousness you will be established". You cannot believe that anything apart from what Isaiah 53 speaks about - that you were declared righteous because He carried your iniquity and He was punished for you.

Isaiah 53 speaks about the Cross and all that Jesus bore for you so Isaiah 54 can say; "Therefore God took an oath NEVER to be angry with you again!". He is talking about not your righteousness but the righteousness of God".

Reference: Rob Rufus - "Established in Righteousness - Part 1" - City Church International, Hong Kong - Sunday 4th January 2009.

Isaiah 53:11

"(v11); "After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life and be satisfied" - that is the resurrection".

Reference: Rob Rufus - "Established in the Gift of Righteousness - Part 1" - City Church International, Hong Kong - Sunday 4th January 2009.

Colossians 2:6

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him".

"Paul says just as you received Christ so walk in Him. Or the NIV says just as you received Christ, "live in Him"! How did you receive Christ? Did you have to earn or deserve or keep the law or be good enough? No - you received Him by grace through faith - He declared you righteous. So just as you received Christ - so walk in Him and live in Him.

There is a major theological heresy in this earth that is a very dangerous heresy and is more serious than any other deception in the Church today. It is this idea that there are two types of righteousness. The free gift of righteousness that God gives you and the righteousness that you have to perform after you are saved.

That's not only bad theology - that is confusing because that means that God's righteousness is not good enough. And how can you be established in the gift of righteousness if you don't know where God's gift of righteousness ends and where your performance of righteousness has to begin?

No! The truth of the matter is that the gift of righteousness is the only righteousness that you live by. You receive Christ by the gift of righteousness and you continue to live by grace through faith that "I am the righteousness of God". That gives you the power to change - but you are always righteous and are constantly righteous!".

Reference: Rob Rufus - "Being Established In The Gift Of Righteousness" - City Church International, Hong Kong - Sunday 4th January 2009.

Romans 8:15-17

"(v15); " ... did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear but you received a spirit of sonship and by Him we cry "Abba! Father!". The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit ...".

The Holy Spirit is telling you that you are a son of the Father and is in you and through you is crying; "Abba! Daddy! Father!".

(v17); "If we are children then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs". Co-heir is an equal heir. "with Christ". (v19); "For the sons of God to be revealed". It didn't say that the world is waiting for Christians to be revealed but for sons to be revealed - led by the Spirit who only do what they see the Father doing and are not led by circumstances".

Reference: Rob Rufus - "Sonship vs Christianity" - City Church International, Hong Kong - Sunday 30th November 2008.