Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Regverdigmaking deur geloof

Regverdigmaking deur geloof

Die Skrif sê vir ons dat “die regverdige uit die geloof sal lewe” (Romeine 1:17).

Maar wie is die regverdiges? En hoe word ‘n mens regverdig?

Die regverdiges is diegene wat geregverdig is – maar wat beteken dit om geregverdig te wees?

Deur watter wetslens lees jy hierdie woord: menslike wet – opgelegde reëls wat eksterne toesig en toegediende straf vereis, of ontwerpwetgewing – die protokolle waarop ons Skepper die werklikheid gebou het om te werk (soos die wette van gesondheid en fisika)?

As ons God as Skepper sien, verstaan ons dat Sy wette die wette is waarop die werklikheid gebou is en dat oortredings van God se wet ons benadeel en vernietig, wat uiteindelik tot die dood lei, tensy die Skepper ingryp om te genees en te herstel – dit wil sê, om reg te stel, wat regverdigmaking eintlik beteken: om dit reg te stel wat nie reg is nie.

Maar as ‘n mens onder die menslike definisie van die wet funksioneer – opgelegde reëls, opgemaakte volmag – dan dink ‘n mens dat geregtigheid vereis dat die heerser mag gebruik om die wet te polisieer en af te dwing deur middel van straf. In hierdie siening gaan regverdigmaking nie oor genesing, herstel of om harte en gedagtes reg te stel nie; dit gaan oor ‘n regsaanpassing.

Verkeerde aanname, verkeerde gevolgtrekking

Baie teoloë stel voor dat die woord regverdiging in die Christendom na ‘n regsproses verwys omdat die woord self deel is van ‘n stel regswoorde – dit is regstaal, sê hulle.

Sommige probleme met hierdie siening is:

  • Die woord regverdigmaking bestaan nie in die oorspronklike Bybelteks nie.
  • Die Bybel is nie in Engels of Latyn geskryf nie.

In plaas daarvan was regverdiging ‘n woord wat gebruik is deur opregte maar bevooroordeelde vertalers wat, wanneer hulle vertaal het, dit vanuit ‘n wetlike Romeinse wêreldbeskouing gedoen het. Met ander woorde, die vertalers, wat uit ‘ n Romeinse agtergrond gekom het, het die leuen aanvaar dat God se wet nie anders as mensewet funksioneer nie.

Kortom, hulle het regstaal en idees kunsmatig bekendgestel.

Maar selfs die gebruik van die woord regverdig, is ‘n valse idee dat dit slegs ‘n wetlike konnotasie het. Regverdig het ook nie-wetlike betekenisse:

  • Om die kantlyne in jou dokument “reg te stel” (in Engels: to justify) is nie ‘n regshandeling nie; in plaas daarvan is dit ‘n skuif of instelling om dit wat nie in lyn is nie reg te stel om in lyn te wees.
  • En regverdig kan ook beteken om ‘n aksie, posisie, persoon of bewering as reg te demonstreer of te bewys.

As ‘n mens die Bybel deur ‘n menslike wetslens beskou, dan gee jy ‘n wetlike definisie aan die woord regverdigmaking en leer dus dat geestelike regverdigmaking is om wetlik as regverdig verklaar te word, al is jy nie regverdig nie. Dit skep ‘n regsfiksie waarin God uitgebeeld word as iemand wat iets waar verklaar wat in werklikheid nie waar is nie.

Maar wanneer ons die valse menslike wetskonstruksie verwerp en ontwerpwet aanhang en terugkeer na die aanbidding van God as Skepper, verstaan ons dat regverdigmaking in die Bybel beide die regstelling is van wat verkeerd is (om sondaars heiliges te maak) asook om die geregtigheid van God in die persoon van Jesus Christus te demonstreer.

Die Bybel toon regverdigmaking

In Romeine 3:25, 26 beskryf die apostel Paulus beide die demonstrasie-aspek van regverdigmaking en die regstelling van die verkeerde aspek van regverdigmaking:

Hom het God voorgestel in sy bloed as ‘n versoening deur die geloof, om sy geregtigheid te bewys deurdat Hy die sondes ongestraf laat bly het wat tevore gedoen is onder die verdraagsaamheid van God  – om sy geregtigheid te toon in die teenwoordige tyd, sodat Hy self regverdig kan wees en regverdig maak wie uit die geloof in Jesus is (AFR53, beklemtoning myne).

Regverdigmaking is deel van die proses om sondaars van sonde te red. Daarom, om akkuraat te verstaan wat regverdiging is, moet ons akkuraat verstaan wat die probleem is. Met ander woorde, ons moet eers diagnoseer wat eintlik verkeerd is voordat ons God se behandelingsplan probeer beskryf.

As ons die leuen aanvaar dat God se wet soos menslike wet is, dan glo ons dat die probleem wat Adam en Eva geskep het toe hulle gesondig het, regsprobleme was – dat hulle onder wetlike veroordeling gestaan het omdat hulle die wet van God oortree het. En dat God, wat beide volkome heilig en soewerein is, deur Sy wet en heiligheid vereis is om gepaste straf vir hulle sonde op te lê. Daar word beweer dat as God hierdie straf sou kwytskeld, dan is God nie regverdig nie en is Sy wet nutteloos. Dus, volgens die wetlike siening, vereis geregtigheid dat God die doodstraf vir sonde oplê. Maar, word daar aangevoer, daar is goeie nuus: God het Sy sondelose Seun gestuur en Hom in ons plek tereggestel (al was Hy onskuldig) en ons kan nou aanspraak maak op die bloed van hierdie sondelose menseoffer om op ons wetlike register in die hemel aangewend te word. Deur dit te doen, word dit wetlik van God verwag om ons wettig regverdig te verklaar, selfs al is ons nog steeds onregverdig in hart, verstand en karakter.

Nie net stel so ‘n siening God se wet verkeerd voor nie, maar dit verdraai ook die goddelike karakter omdat dit God ‘n leuenaar sal maak – om mense as regverdig te verklaar wat nie is nie – en God as die bron van die dood sal uitmaak. In so ‘n verwronge siening, het God nodig dat iets aan Hom gedoen word (paaiing deur offerhande) sodat Hy nie Sy krag sal gebruik om ons dood te maak nie.

Wanneer ons die leuen verwerp dat God se wet soos menslike wet funksioneer en terugkeer na die aanbidding van die Skepper wie se wette die ontwerpprotokolle vir die lewe is, besef ons dat toe Adam en Eva gesondig het, hulle nie op een of ander manier lojale, getroue, betroubare wesens gebly het wat skielik in regsmoeilikheid was nie. In plaas daarvan verstaan ons die werklikheid, dat hul sonde hulle verander het. Liefde en vertroue is deur vrees en selfsug in hulle harte verplaas, wat nou hul nuwe dryfvere geword het. Hulle was in hulle diepste wese beskadig en was nou “dood in oortreding en sonde” (Ef 2:1). Met ander woorde, hulle het ‘n terminale toestand gehad. Soos die Bybel sê, “sonde bring die dood voort wanneer dit tot volle ontwikkeling gekom het” (Jakobus 1:15). Sonder God wat ingryp om hierdie toestand te genees, sou alle mense sterf omdat alle mense “gebore is in ongeregtigheid en in sonde ontvang is” (Psalm 51:5).

Om te verstaan dat sonde die sondaar verander – die verstand bederf, vrees en selfsug aanhits, karakter verdraai, ons uit harmonie met God en die heiligheid van die hemel neem – wat het sondaars dan eintlik nodig om in regte stand met God te wees?

  • ‘n Nuwe regsrekord?
  • ‘n Geregtelike uitspraak?
  • ‘n Bloedbetaling aan ‘n straffende godheid?
  • ‘n Regsverklaring?
  • Of het hulle ‘ n nuwe hart en ‘n regte gees nodig?

Die Skrif is duidelik oor wat nodig is:

  • “Skep vir my ‘n rein hart, o God, en gee opnuut in die binneste van my ‘n vaste gees” (Psalm 51:10 AFR33).
  • “Ek sal hulle een hart gee en ‘n nuwe gees in julle binneste gee; en Ek sal die hart van klip uit hulle vlees verwyder en hulle ‘n hart van vlees gee” (Esegiël 11:19 AFR33).
  • “Dit is die verbond wat Ek ná dié dae met die huis van Israel sal sluit, spreek die Here: Ek sal my wette in hulle verstand gee en dit op hulle harte skrywe” (Hebreërs 8:10 AFR33).
  • “…maar hy is ‘n Jood wat dit in die verborgene is, en besnydenis is dié van die hart, die gees, nie na die letter nie” (Romeine 2:29 AFR33).

Al die beskrywings van die Skrif is dieselfde: Die verlossingsplan is God se werk in sondaars om hulle harte en gedagtes te herskep om hulle reg te stel deur God se wet van liefde in hulle te herstel en vrees en selfsug uit hulle karakters uit te roei. Soos ons in Romeine 2:29 vind, is dit ‘n hartswerk en nie ‘n wetlike (geskrewe kode) werk nie.

Die Bybel beskryf ons sondige hart en verstand as vyandig teenoor God:

“…omdat wat die vlees bedink, vyandskap teen God is” (Romeine 8:7 AFR33).

‘n Ander vertaling stel dit so: “Die vleeslike verstand is vyandskap teen God” (NKJV).

Ons, in ons onbekeerde, sondige toestand, wantrou God en is vyandig teenoor Hom. Ons harte is nie in harmonie met Syne nie. Ons het nie lief wat God liefhet nie. Ons dink nie hoe Hy ons ontwerp het om te dink nie. Ons funksioneer nie soos God bedoel het dat ons moet funksioneer nie. Ons is bang en selfsugtig. Ons moet reggestel word, reggemaak word, geregverdig word in hart, verstand en gesindheid om God te vertrou. Dit is wat regverdigmaking is – om die hart van ‘n wese wat wantrou te verander in iemand wat vertrou en die hart met God regstel.

Regverdigmaking geïllustreer

Abraham, soos die res van ons, is “in sonde gebore en in ongeregtigheid verwek.” Hy was ‘n sondaar wat deur vrees en selfsug versoek is en het by verskeie geleenthede opgetree om ander te mislei op so ‘n manier dat hy sy vrou in gevaar gestel het, alles om homself te red. Maar Abraham het ‘n verandering beleef – nie ‘n wetlike verandering nie, maar ‘n werklike verandering. Hy het gegroei van ‘n persoon wat God nie vertrou het nie en dinge op sy eie manier gedoen het, na ‘n persoon wat God vertrou het en God se instruksies gevolg het. Met ander woorde, Abraham het ‘n werklike verandering van hartsmotief ervaar; sy hart was reg met God. Dit is regverdiging.

En toe Abraham Hom vertrou het, het God – wat die Skepper-God van die werklikheid en nie fantasie is nie – die nuwe toestand van realiteit in Abraham erken, dat hy geregverdig was, eintlik reg in hart tot God (Romeine 4:1-3).

God het Abraham nie regverdig verklaar toe Abraham God steeds gewantrou het nie, maar Hy het die werklikheid erken dat Abraham se hart verander het van wantroue na vertroue. En sodra ‘n sondaars God werklik vertrou en hulle harte vir Hom oopmaak, genees en herstel God hulle deur Sy wet op hulle hart en verstand te skryf.

Dit is die regverdigmaking van die individuele sondaar by God. Maar hierdie regverdigmaking – die regte herstelling van ‘n individuele hart en verstand teenoor God – is slegs moontlik omdat Jesus eers ons plaasvervanger geword het, die tweede Adam, en sonde in ons plek oorwin het en die menslike spesie met God reggestel het.

Toe Adam gesondig het, was hy nie net as ‘n individu uit harmonie met God nie (in vyandskap met God), maar die hele spesie was ook uit harmonie – omdat elke mens van Adam afstam en besmet is met vrees en selfsug. Ná Adam en voor Jesus, was daar geen sondelose mense nie – geen. Jesus het mens geword om daardie situasie reg te stel, om die verbindende skakel na die hemel te word, die een mens waarin God se ontwerpwet van die lewe volmaak uitgeleef is, en sodoende harmonie met God se ontwerpwet in die mensdom herstel het.

Deur dit te doen, het Jesus die nuwe hoof geword van ‘n hernude en gereinigde mensdom – ons tweede Adam.

In die persoon van Jesus Christus, was die menslike spesie geregverdig – reggestel, herstel – met God. Hy het mens geword en is in alle opsigte versoek net soos ons, maar Hy was sonder sonde (Hebreërs 4:15). In die menslike lewenservaring van Jesus het Hy iets werkliks bereik, iets wat geen ander mens kon nie, iets objektiefs: Hy het met die gebruik van slegs Sy menslike vermoëns ‘n volmaakte, sondelose menslike karakter ontwikkel en sodoende God se ontwerpwet van liefde in die menslike spesie herstel. In die persoon van Jesus is die mensdom met God reggestel – ons was geregverdig.

Alhoewel hy ‘n seun was, het hy gehoorsaamheid geleer uit wat hy gely het en, sodra hy volmaakheid bereik het, het hy die bron van ewige verlossing geword vir almal wat hom gehoorsaam (Hebreërs 5:8, 9 NLV84).

Wag … was Jesus nie altyd volmaak nie?

Hy was altyd sondeloos, ja, maar Bybelse volmaaktheid beteken volwassenheid van karakter en karakter kan nie geskep word nie, dit moet ontwikkel word deur die keuses van die lewende wese. Jesus het as ‘n mens ‘n volmaakte, volwasse sondelose karakter ontwikkel en God se wet van liefde in die menslike spesie herstel. Sodoende het Hy as ons plaasvervanger die menslike spesie met God reggestel; dit wil sê, Hy het die spesie geregverdig en ons geneesmiddel teen sonde geword, die bron van verlossing vir almal wat Hom volg.

Wanneer ons gewen word tot vertroue, maak ons die hart oop en ontvang die inwonende Gees, wat die karakter van Christus neem en dit in ons weergee, sodat “Ek nie meer lewe nie, maar Christus in my woon” (Galasiërs 2:20 NLV84). Dit is ware Bybelse regverdiging.

Soos Paulus aan die Korintiërs geskryf het, “Want Hy het Hom wat geen sonde geken het nie, sonde vir ons gemaak, sodat ons kan word geregtigheid van God in Hom” (2 Korinthiërs 5:21 AFR53).

Opregte regverdiging is nie ‘n kwessie van wetlike vergifnis nie; dit is die werklike werk van God deur Christus om ons reg te stel in hart, verstand, gesindheid en karakter – om verenig te wees, een-met God.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

God bless you so much and your ministry.

Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 16

Your seminars are still inspiring and changing our lives and we continue to share the principles we have learned from you. Your ministry has changed our lives!

E.W.

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA