This book was transcribed from a series of sermons preached by the late Bill Lehman. The series was titled Christ Our Righteousness, and was conducted during the middle 1970s at the Campus Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church in Loma Linda, California. We believe that God in His providence has brought this material to light once again, for it deals with a topic that is of utmost importance to those living in the last days of earth’s history. Bill Lehman’s presentation of this most controversial subject is done in a way that puts Christ at the very center of righteousness. Those who read this book will go away with a higher appreciation for the Christ who loved them so much that He endured the shame and agony of the cross.
As we near the end of time, Satan will unleash all his weapons against the church and its individual members. As in the desert of ancient Egypt when deadly serpents visited the children of Israel, God’s people today are falling victim to the modern serpents of doubt, worldly and sensual pleasures, substance abuse, false doctrine, and many other snares of Satan. Those who would be saved must follow the divine remedy and look unto Jesus. Once we have applied the remedy to our own souls, we must then go help others to look unto Jesus as their only hope.
Lifting Jesus before the world is the work to be done by God’s people in the last days. This fact is made clear by one who spoke for God: “The end is near!...Light is to shine forth from God’s people in clear, distinct rays, bringing Jesus before the churches and before the world...One interest will prevail, one subject will swallow up every other— Christ Our Righteousness.” SD 259. As the end draws near and increasing spiritual darkness engulfs the world, the attention of a small remnant will focus more and more upon Christ and His righteousness.
In 1888, the Lord sent through Waggoner and Jones a message that was to empower God’s people to finish the work. That message was for the most part rejected; and since then the subjects of justification by faith and Christ our righteousness have for short periods of time returned to the forefront of discussion amongst Seventh-day Adventists. During those times, books were published and multiple theories were presented; but after a few years people would lose interest and the message would fade back into the shadows. However, Ellen White predicted that before the end, this subject will not only rise again, it “will prevail.” This means that much of the confusion that has surrounded this subject in the past will be cleared away, and many will see perhaps for the first time the wonderful truths of this glorious message. If this subject is so important that it will swallow up every other subject, should we not now set our minds to discovering the important aspects of this message?
This book contains a sound theological foundation for the subject of Christ our righteousness and offers amazing insight into those aspects of the message that have often been misunderstood and misinterpreted. If prayerfully studied, this book will prove to be invaluable to all who truly hunger and thirst after righteousness. The message in each chapter will endear the heart of the reader to Christ in a special way.