Righteousness: Part I

This chapter will not be an easy chapter to pen.

Righteousness, even in the Christian circle, seems to me a word that can easily, and in many ways be misconstrued. Defined incorrectly. Used wrongly. Without perspective, and a concrete Biblical foundation and understanding; applied in a manner such as Jesus and the apostles actions would properly provide an example, we will miss our mark.

The Oxford dictionary defines righteousness as "the quality of being morally right or justifiable." Merriam Webster defines the word this way - "acting in accord with divine or moral law."

Immorality runs rampant around the world. However, every culture seems to have a different set of rules, and therefore structure, for what is to be called, immoral. Sadly, immorality is sensationalized on every form of media in the United States. It's "a breaking news" or "top story" when politicians are found to be, or caught in the act of having an extramarital affair. We then see this same behavior portrayed on television shows. The mantra seems to be, "it happens, so it must be apart of our show to make it real."

Why would we want to continually validate behaviors that are not righteous?

In the next six subsections, I hope to provide focus, Biblically; a foundation, proper definition and exemplary examples; justifiable, for applying behaviors of righteousness.

Let's start with a Biblical definition.

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed - a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:  "The righteous will live by faith" ," Romans 1:17.

In Proverbs 21:21 we find, "Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."

And Paul writes in 1 Timothy 6:11, "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness."

I see a few words that appear twice in these 3 verses that will help us form a cornerstone:  faith and love.

Paul's letters were written for his vast love in God's people, and to reach God's people. When his letters are read, we can also undoubtedly determine that Paul was a man of great faith. He had a life-altering change in his thinking toward why Jesus had come. He saw such an opposite belief by God's people, openly admitting that his original thinking was errant, that he took immediate action. He wasted not another second or another breath. And for the next twenty-plus years, he preached the gospel, unabashedly, "running his race" for Christ.

While I feel certain that we will find connected and supporting principles to add to faith and love over the next few days, let's start with faith and love, using them as a foundation.

I like to think of Proverbs as a book that provides "mini-principles." Short verses. We can easily find one each day that we can apply to our lives. Look back to Proverbs 21:21. "Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."

I feel sure that David was writing this verse with a "vertical," or heavenly mindset. At the same time, I also believe that it directly applies to our daily lives on earth. We are promised life, prosperity and honor. To accomplish this, we are called to act in a righteous manner, with love. The equation could be read and understood, numerically, as 1+1 = 3.

In his view, love is an essential component to righteousness.

The following is recorded in John 13:34-35. Jesus said, "A new command I give you:  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Having love for Jesus, and God's people; and treating each of these relationship with love, will promote and provide to us, the ability to act and walk in a manner of righteousness.

Faith is also an essential component. Remember Romans 1:17. "The righteous will live by faith." Paul strongly encouraged Timothy to pursue righteousness, faith and love in his first letter to him, found in 1 Timothy 6:11.

We know that Paul had a strong faith, and that his love for Jesus was representative of his charge to reach the people for God by spreading the gospel story. He penned every letter with love; under the direction of his faith in Christ, and with a humble an righteous attitude; displayed by his actions on a daily basis. He was going to "run a good race."

Going back to our Oxford Dictionary definition, righteousness should be morally right, or justifiable. I would suggest that instead of "or," we must be both to be righteous in the eyes of God.

I'll leave you today with 3 verses; 2 from Psalms and 1 from Matthew:

"For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed; the offspring of the wicked will perish. The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever." Psalms 37:28-29

"A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart." Proverbs 21:2

"Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever." Psalms 112:6

Begin with a "vertical" mindset. Have an understanding that faith and love will serve as guardrails in your search for righteous behavior. You will gain "life, prosperity and honor," Psalms 21:21. Try it today. Incorporate the following components to guide your steps, words and actions.

The promises for righteousness are vast and wide.

"You are loved, and you are sent;" credit fully given to Pastor Bruce Frank for those words.