A number of religious people allege to be righteous. They rather confuse religiosity with righteousness. We can be religious yet unrighteous. Religion is by man but righteousness is by the Holy Spirit. Jeremiah 23: 6 says the LORD is our righteousness (Also 33: 16).
On the final day, Christ the judge will not judge religion or denomination but the character of our hearts. Psalms 7: 8 say the LORD judges the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and according to the integrity that is in me. Our deed rather than our association is what God desires.
What is righteousness?
Scripture tells about what righteousness is. In Genesis 15: 6 he (Abraham) believed the LORD; and the LORD reckoned it to him as righteousness. So, righteousness is to believe in God. It is not merely believing in God but trusting him without doubt. It is obeying the spirit and letter of God’s instructions. It calls for a total surrender unto God’s will and absolute dependence on his word or his demands.
In Genesis 18: 19, righteousness is a charge to keep the way of the LORD with justice. It is a charge to preserve or uphold justice as God would do without favour, affection or ill-will. We must uphold truth and be just to all manner of people. God’s standard of justice is not what we see in our courts of law where justice may or may not be tampered with depending on so many considerations.
God’s relationship with righteous
Psalms 97: 2 say… righteousness and justice are the foundation of his (God) throne. God’s throne demands righteousness. Slacking from righteousness leads to death. Ezekiel 18: 26 says when the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die (also Ezekiel 33: 18). Slacking or backsliding betrays God.
Hosea 10: 12 says sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love. Our life’s economy must be predicated on the seed of righteousness and in return, we will obtain God’s steadfast love. God’s instruction in Zephaniah 2: 3 says seek righteousness. This is God’s command which is not optional but must be obeyed absolutely.
1 Samuel 26: 23 says the LORD rewards everyone for his righteousness and his faithfulness. The rewards include avoiding shame, (Psalms 31: 1; 35: 24). Righteousness brings the peace of God upon us. Psalms 85: 10 say steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; righteousness and peace will kiss each other. Righteousness paves a path for our steps, (Psalms 85: 13).
The effects of righteousness
Proverbs 11: 4 says riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. In effect it’s more profitable to chase righteousness than riches. Proverbs 11: 6 say the righteousness of the upright saves them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their schemes. Righteousness is the foundation of salvation.
Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live, but whoever pursues evil will die, says God’s word. Proverbs 12: 28 say in the path of righteousness there is life, in walking its path there is no death. Proverbs 11: 18 say… those who sow righteousness get a true reward. Not every reward is a true reward from God. We must be careful how we describe rewards including unjust or unworthy gains. Righteousness exalts a nation, Proverbs 14: 34. It gives life and honour, Proverbs 21: 21. It is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice, Proverbs 21: 3. It gives peace, quietness and trust forever, Isaiah 32: 17. In Christ Jesus, righteousness is worth more than pearls of Jewels.
Worldly misconception
We sometimes wrongfully attribute our successes to our righteousness. Unfortunately, we have none except by grace through Christ Jesus. Our successes, if any, may not have anything to do with our righteousness at all but God’s promise to us or the misconduct of others.
Deuteronomy 9: 5-6 say it is not because of your righteousness or the unrighteousness of your heart that you are going in to occupy their land; but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is dispossessing them before you, in order to fulfill the promise that the LORD made on oath to your ancestors, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Know, then, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to occupy because of your righteousness; for you are a stubborn people.
Our successes are by the Lord’s grace. They are not because of our deeds. Our righteousness measures up to nothing without God’s grace through Jesus Christ our Lord. Galatians 3: 27 say as many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Righteousness is when we clothe ourselves with the blood of Christ Jesus for a daily walk.
Are we clothed by the blood? Are we washed in the blood of the Lamb? Are we saved by Christ Jesus? The clock is ticking! There is no more time for delay! Christ Jesus is calling us unto righteousness.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that our righteousness is like filthy rags before you. We repent of our foolish and evil ways by which we pursue unjust riches. In sin, we ascribe our filthy gains as your blessings from our righteousness. Mercifully forgive us and cleanse us by grace in your blood. Help us to love, trust, and obey you more in all circumstances. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
