Romans 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
As Christians we are often told by others not to judge or that you are self-righteous. We are to discern between good and evil and that we should abhor that which is evil and cleave to that which is good. God is good and his word instructs us of all his goodness so that we know what to hold onto. Christians are not perfect they are forgiven and ought to forgive others. We are righteous because God made us righteous by his grace. The only way to be made righteous is to accept Jesus and be saved. How do you do this?
Romans 10:9–10 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
We are saved by God's grace, it is a gift We don't deserve this, but through grace and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, salvation from the wrath that will come to this world is available. It is so easy to be saved because it was so hard on Jesus Christ. We are saved by grace which is God's unmerited, divine favor.
I have seen so many times people that are Christians say to others that they are not Christians. We are saved by God's grace but what you do with that grace after you are saved is up to you.
Romans is the first of seven church epistles authored by God and revealed to the apostle Paul. This church of grace started on the day of Pentecost which was 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. One of the meanings of Pentecost is 50. Jesus was seen of others for forty days after his resurrection and ten days after he was ascended into heaven the day of Pentecost came. Forty plus ten equals fifty, Pentecost.
It is very interesting to see God's will unfold so quickly for those who want to be saved after the sacrifice of his only begotten son Jesus Christ. The day of Pentecost was when this age of grace started and will continue until the gathering together that is recorded in 1 Thessalonians. But before we read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 let's look at Romans chapter 1.
God's word is perfect just as Jesus Christ God's only begotten son is perfect because he was the word in the flesh when he lived on this earth. Because God's word is perfect the order of God's word is perfect. We are not to judge, the standard set in God's word is the judge.
In Roman's 1:18-32 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
God through the gift of holy spirit in the apostle Paul records judgment against those who turned their back on God. Through their own lusts they changed the truth of God into a lie and they worshiped creatures instead of the creator.
They invented evil things as men practiced sexual acts with men and even their woman changed the natural use into that which is against nature. This was the result of them professing themselves to be wise and instead they became fools.
These are the same kind of things that are going on in the whole woke movement.
Our school boards spend time and money discussing which bathroom a boy has the right to use and they sacrifice the right to girls having their privacy in a bathroom or locker room. This is all a result of man's wisdom reigning in the age of God's grace.
Our schools and universities do not stop at rejecting God and his word but they teach their students to be hostile toward God and those that take a stand on God's word especially when it comes to their sexual freedom. They have freewill to do what they want but it doesn't make it right no matter how many laws they pass or how they try to justify it.
They have their reward and one day will give accountability for these actions. Not because I said so but because God said so.
Back to 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 13But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
On the day of Pentecost the outpouring of God's gift of holy spirit happened and was the first day the new birth was available. The promise of God in Christ in you as recorded in Colossians 1.
Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Now that he is in us let's let others see him in our walk.
God Bless you