Spoke 18 - Tzaddi - Jesus Christ the Righteous!

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1 John 1:8ff (Spoke 18, Cycle 3)

The Book of 1 John manifests many themes based on two of the most significant Tzaddi KeyWords: צדק (Tzadek, Righteous) and צוה (Tsavah, Command). Many examples of God's use of these words are given in the introduction to Spoke 18. Both of these come together in the passage above, which is one of the most famous concerning the righteous we can have in Christ Jesus. It reveals the absolute truth that only liars can deny that we are all sinners. This therefore is the path to righteousness chosen by God Almighty God, since it is guaranteed open to all. All we must do is repent and confess our sins! Glory!

Tzadek (Righteous) and Tsavah (Command) also appear together as the first two Tzaddi KeyWords in the great alphabetic Psalm 119:

• AV Ps 119:137 Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments.
• AV Ps 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.

These words define two of the dominant themes of 1 John. Here are a few of the representative verses relating to the theme of righteousness and obedience to God's Commandments:

[vss. 2.7f] Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.

[vss. 2.28f] And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

[vss. 3.7f] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

[vss. 3.21f] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

[vss. 5.1f] Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Oh the endless wonder and glory of God's Word, which is the perfection of Righteousness!

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