*LOVE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS* *PASTOR CHRIS OYAHKILOME* *THURSDAY, 13TH FEBRUARY 2025* _For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ_ *(Romans 5:17)* In our previous study, we talked about the gift of eternal life that’s imparted to be born again. Now, that wonderful gift of eternal life comes with two associate virtues: love and righteousness. You can’t get them anywhere else. Upon receiving eternal life, the love of God is automatically shed abroad in your heart by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Christ in you means the nature of God is in you, and God's nature is love. The Bible says, *“...God is love...”* (1 John 4:16). That love resides in your spirit; your responsibility is to let that love flow through you. 2 Corinthians 5:19 says, *"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."* Having reached out to us in love through Christ, He has given us the ministry of reconciliation, to win others and bring them into His love. The second thing is righteousness; Christ has made you righteous. Ephesians 4:24 says you were created in righteousness and true holiness. Romans 5:18-19 says, *“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”* Think about that! With all the sins you’ve ever committed, with all the evil you may have done, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, gives you His righteousness. Now you can stand in the presence of God just like He does. You have become as pure as He is—washed, sanctified, justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God. And having received this divine nature of righteousness, you reign in life through Jesus Christ. Hallelujah! *PRAYER* _Dear Father, I thank you for your liquid love that’s shed abroad in my heart, and the gift of righteousness by which I reign in life through Jesus Christ. I live in the power of your love and righteousness. Thank you for making me holy and blameless; I walk in the consciousness of this truth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen._ *FURTHER STUDY:* *Romans 5:5* And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. *2 Corinthians 5:21* 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. *Isaiah 61:10* I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh [himself] with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth [herself] with her jewels. *RHAPSODY SUBSCRIPTION* https://read.rhapsodyofrealities.org/rin/esenamdotse163737 *SCRIPTURE READING* *1 Year Bible Reading Plan :* Matthew 28 & Leviticus 4-5 *2 Year Bible Reading Plan :* Matthew 14:1-10 & Genesis 44 *EXTRACT FROM: Rhapsody Of Realities Daily Devotional*