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Study 17 of 18

Christ My Right-doing

The power of the Word to produce the right-doing of Christ in the believer.

Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.

Synopsis

This study focuses on "Christ My Right-doing," exploring how Jesus lived a perfect life. It begins with the vision of Joshua and the Angel, showing that even the high priest's "righteous acts" are as filthy rags. Jesus, having emptied Himself, could do nothing of His own independent power. He lived by every word of God, allowing the Father to work through Him. Schofield explains that the Word of God has inherent power; it accomplishes what it says. Just as the rain produces growth, the Word hid in the heart produces the right-doing of God. This is the "doctrine of righteousness" or the "Teacher of Righteousness" (the Former Rain) that prepares the heart for the final outpouring of the Spirit. Our part is simply to receive the Word and yield to its control, letting it fulfill its purpose in us.

Key points

  • All human "righteousness," even good acts, is as filthy rags compared to God's standard.
  • Jesus overcame temptation and lived righteously solely by the power of the Word.
  • The Word of God contains the power to perform the very thing it declares.
  • Yielding to the Word allows the Father to work His righteousness within the believer.

Key texts

  • Zechariah 3:1-7
  • Isaiah 55:10-11
  • John 14:10

From the book

Chapter 17 · John 1:1-14 · Read this chapter

  • “In other words, our commandment-keeping is as good as a filthy rag. But aren’t we supposed to be keeping the commandments?” (ch. 17)
  • “Jesus Christ, who was equal with God, made Himself of no reputation... As we in all things cannot do anything right of ourselves, likewise, Jesus Christ could not do anything of Himself.” (ch. 17)
  • “Our part is to receive God’s word and to hold it fast, yielding ourselves fully to its control, and its purpose in us will be accomplished.” (ch. 17)

Put it into practice

  • Hide God's Word in your heart to allow it to resist temptation for you.
  • Stop trying to produce righteousness and start yielding to the Word's power.
  • Recognize the "Teacher of Righteousness" in the doctrine of the Word.
  1. Comprehension

    1. What do the 'filthy garments' of Joshua the high priest represent?

  2. Scripture

    2. Why could Jesus not do anything of His own self?

  3. Doctrinal Clarity

    3. How did Jesus know what works the Father would do in Him?

  4. Contrast

    4. What does the metaphor of rain and snow in Isaiah 55 illustrate about God's Word?

  5. Doctrinal Clarity

    5. What is our part in the process of sanctification?

  6. Scripture

    6. What does the 'Teacher of Righteousness' teach us first?

  7. Contrast

    7. Why is the doctrine of righteousness compared to the Former Rain?

  8. Application

    8. How can you practice 'yielding to the Word' when facing a specific temptation today?