The righteousness of this world differs from the righteousness of God. Jesus said in Matthew 6: 33 but strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. This righteousness of God is enabled by God’s grace. Matthew 5: 6 says “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. If we make the effort to attain righteousness, we will achieve it by grace.
When God is pleased with our righteousness, he blesses our nation. Solomon said in Proverbs 14: 34, righteousness exalts a nation, but sin a reproach to any people. In other words we are either righteous or sinners, there is no middle ground. We must hold on to what heaven approves rather than what the world approves. Unfortunately, many have taken to what the world approves because it is an easy path.
What is righteousness?
Righteousness means virtue, morality, justice, decency, uprightness, rectitude or honesty. It also means blamelessness, taking to God’s nature, having God’s cleansing, being directed by the Holy Spirit unto good works, or being obedient God by the Holy Spirit. So righteousness in summary means obeying God’s words and doing the will of God at all times.
People without God’s Spirit allege that the claim of sin for which repentance and righteousness are required, is based on presumptions, hence it is rebuttable or false. We are however led by the Holy Spirit to say that it is not a presumption but the real truth of spiritual fact. A number of factors account for the pessimistic views of the dying world which includes as follows:
Our traditional attitude
The bible records in 1 Corinthians 1: 18, for the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Long before the days of Paul, people of the world disputed scripture yet God has prevailed to date. Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 1: 20, where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? Paul proceeded in 1 Corinthians 1: 21 the world did not know God through wisdom but his word. We cannot know God through worldly wisdom but the word of God.
Still inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 2: 14 those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 3: 19 for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Accordingly, we must not subscribe to what the world says but what God says. Paul said in Romans 12: 2, do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God–what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Our misconception of life
God has a purpose for each of us even before we are conceived. God said in Jeremiah 1: 5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” It is God’s purpose for us that must drive our agenda. David said in Psalms 51: 5, indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. We were all born in sin as products of sin just as David was. David sought for God’s help or intervention and so must we also in Christ Jesus.
Paul said in Romans 3: 23 all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. He said further in Romans 3: 10-12, “There is no one who is righteous, not even one;…” Only God is pure and in testimony, Moses wrote in Deuteronomy 32: 4, The Rock, his work is perfect, and all his ways are just. Righteousness is the only condition for salvation so Jesus said in Luke 13: 3, 5, no, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did. Our misconception about our spiritual nature bothers God. We were created in the image of God and must therefore live to reflect the nature of God.
Our enslavement to doctrines
Paul said in Romans 16: 17, I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. He reiterated in 1 Timothy 6: 20-21, Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Disputers cannot attain God’s righteousness and would miss eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Paul repeated in 2 Timothy 2: 16-17, Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Paul stated in Titus 3: 9, but avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Those who engage in these doctrines are offenders against the faith and will face the wrath of God. Paul said in Hebrews 13: 9, do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. Righteousness is in God’s word.
Our faith wobbles in God
We sometimes dispute the call to righteousness because our faith wobbles. David wrote in Psalms 14: 1, “Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. If we cherish God in our hearts, we would have faith in him and it would be counted unto us as righteousness of God through Christ Jesus. Jesus said in Luke 22: 31-32 say Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed that your faith may not fail you, and when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.
Isaiah 40: 26 wrote, lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their hosts and numbers them, calling them all by name, because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. He is the Alpha and Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty, Revelation 1: 8; 21: 6; 22: 13. God’s name in Exodus 3: 14 is “I AM WHO I AM.” We must seek the righteousness of him who speaks and the winds and sea obey.
Prayer
Our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus, we come to your feet as sinners. Wash us in your blood and make us righteous in your name so we may be above reproach. Heal our foolish ways of sin and woe and preserve us in your peace. By your infinite grace, help us to overcome the idiosyncrasies of the world in which we take pride to disobey you. Let your truth guide us in righteousness in your holy name, Amen!!
