The idea of being "righteous" is hard to wrap our heads around and hard to achieve. If you were to ask 6 people their personal definition of the word, you would almost certainly get 6 different answers. Christian or not, righteousness escapes most of us.
In Part I, we looked to the Oxford and Merriam-Webster dictionaries for some guidance. Both have a form of the word morality in the definition. Justifiable is used, as is divine in the definition. We talked about immorality; how is has become sensationalized to the point where "breaking news" and "top story" headlines are used as opposed to desensitizing immorality and reality in favor of what is right and just. Personally, I would rather find the gifts inherent by God's grace noted in Proverbs 21:21 where it says, "Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor." To me, that seems more like the ticket to the train that I would prefer to be on. Go back and review the verses from Matthew, Proverbs, Psalms, 1 Timothy and Romans for review.
Part II focused on people. The question was, "Who in the Bible was righteous?" We find in scripture that Noah, Daniel and Job were credited by the Lord as being righteous. Most have heard the story of the covenant between Noah and God and the rainbow. As a Christian, it is a reminder to me when I see a rainbow in the sky. For those not familiar with this story and God's promise to never again flood the earth, turn to Genesis 9:12-17. Daniel was given favor for his faith. He did not have to accept the similar stature of a slave to Nebuchadnezzar, but he did. He remained faithful, and righteous in his actions, seeking God's wisdom during every step and we see his reward in Daniel 12:8-13. Job's story is unique and powerful. God "allowed" the devil to test his faith. His flocks and herds were stripped from him. His servants, the same. Even his sons and daughters were taken from him, but he remained faithful. Incredibly hard to imagine, much less explain and personally endure, but Job did not waiver. Turn to Job 29:14 for a recap of Job's definition of righteousness. Remember also the promise for the stars in heaven, found in Daniel 12:3, as your reward for righteousness.
In Part III we learned that different variations directly related to the word righteousness can be found sixty-four times in the Bible. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy about the "crown of righteousness," noting that those who seek the coming of the Lord will be awarded. The precursor to Paul's mention of the crown of righteousness is the way that he "ran the good race" for Christ. He was determined, diligent, reflective, passionate and interested in his effectiveness to reach people for the Kingdom of God. Three verses were noted, all coming from Galatians. Galatians 2:15-16, 3:10-14 and 5:13-18. The people of Galatia were still extremely rooted in the Mosaic law, but Paul wrote to them and came to them to present his case for living by faith, as Jesus did. We ended by examining the role that the Holy Spirit can provide in our desire to live by faith, harnessing its power and embracing the "fruits of the Spirit."
Part IV was our beginning to dissecting the "fruits of the Spirit." The verse is found in Galatians 5:22-23. It provides 9 principles that can be used, and require and will not submit to any law. I used an example from finance to provide the similarity to the idea of the "sum of the parts" being "worth more than the whole." The 9 "fruits of the Spirit" may be independently and inherently different, but using even one, or a combination thereof, will push you in the direction of righteous behavior. When all else fails, look to 1 Corinthians 13:8, "Love never fails."
In Part V, I presented the idea of using the "sum of the parts" theory; with the "fruits of the Spirit" in mind, in our pursuit to achieve righteousness. We once again referenced the Oxford Dictionary for the definition of pursue. God is interested in seeing us: 1) chase Him, and 2) proceed along in our divine route. We are to grow. We are to learn. We are to share. To become an expert at either, takes guidance, hard work and practice. Advisors will be helpful, but it is important to note that we will stumble and fall on our pursuit in as close to as humanly possible; perfection in chasing after others; for God. I referenced Galatians 2:2, where Paul writes about the pursuit of perfection. In these verses, he is evaluating his effectiveness from his early days in sharing and telling the gospel story in Jerusalem. I also pointed you to Matthew 28:19, better known as "the Great Commission." A relationship with Jesus Christ will increase your effectiveness in your evangelical walk, given that you also understand the importance of belief, community, faith and growth that becomes that special relationship with Jesus. Think big, start small, reach higher.
Part VI begins with a verse that correctly provides the foundational structure for obtaining righteousness. I was God's substitution of sin, for us, by allowing Jesus to be crucified on the cross, eliminating our sin. In Him, we wear not a crimson robe, but one of white. Look at 2 Corinthians 5:21 for the verse explaining this substitution. I continued on with the idea of employing the "Great Commission," taking it one step further; that of leaving a legacy. The legacy of mine and yours will be entirely different than those of the most respected names in the pulpit for God, but is ours any less important? I would think not. We all want to matter. We all want to make our mark. That is what "leaving a legacy" is all about. That is one of the reasons I have chosen to write. To leave a legacy that will be everlasting, we must submit to the will of God. It is He who has the instruction manual that you have yet to read that will allow you to become the benefactor that you had hoped for. The Bible is your guidebook. It is the "key to the castle" that will grant you access to God's instruction for your life. Leaving the legacy you desire to leave, is possible with the key to the Kingdom. Each f us have a different job to complete in advancing God's Kingdom. You have already identified the skills that are God-given, and He will require you to obtain more for His purposes along your journey. Look to the promises in Romans 2:6 and Psalms 37:28.
As they say, "the view is better from the top; looking down."
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