What is righteousness?
As a Christian, sometimes you hear words continually in your walk with Christ and we don’t stop to truly reflect on their meaning. I find myself getting so caught up in reading the bible and not taking the time out to ensure I understand it all clearly.
As Paul notes in Colossians 4:5-6 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
I want to be prepared always…
Recently I paused at a verse that spoke of righteousness. I paused and truly reflected on what does God mean when HE states righteousness in the Bible.
Let’s break it down… using the bible.
There quite a few verses in the bible with the words Righteous, righteousness …
“If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.” 1 John 2:29
“Blessed are they who observe justice, who do righteousness at all times!” Psalms 106:3
But there is a verse, which clearly outlines righteousness for us: Ezekiel 18:5-9
“Suppose there is a righteous man
who does what is just and right.
6 He does not eat at the mountain shrines
or look to the idols of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor’s wife
or have sexual relations with a woman during her period.
7 He does not oppress anyone,
but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
but gives his food to the hungry
and provides clothing for the naked.
8 He does not lend to them at interest
or take a profit from them.
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
and judges fairly between two parties.
9 He follows my decrees
and faithfully keeps my laws.
That man is righteous;
he will surely live,
declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Looking at these verses we can analyze that those who are in Christ (who have been saved and accepted Christ as their savior) finds righteousness because of that relationship.
We can also summarize that righteousness is about justice and doing what is right.
When we become saved, the Holy Spirit lives within us. It is only through the Spirit that we can live a righteous life. It is by being obedient and continually seeking Christ that we can live a life of justice, integrity and obedience.
Food for thought: For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:17) Living a life of righteousness means dying to sin every day and living in faith every minute… every hour.
Prayer: God of grace and power. We need you. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those that have sinned against us. Holy Spirit cover and live within us so that the words of our mouth and meditation of our heart will be pleasing to our God and Father. May thy will be done. In Jesus name. Amen
May the God of grace, peace and love be with you.