Daily Journal: 26 September

Breaking Down Righteousness

OXFORD LANGUAGES defines righteousness as “the quality of being morally right or justifiable”.

What is the opposite of righteousness?

It’s either being immoral - not conforming to moral standards, or being amoral – being unconcerned with whether something is right or wrong. Having no absolutes. No boundaries. Lack of righteousness, therefore, denotes a lack of moral conscience.

The bible is one of the few places that talks about righteousness – and it talks about it all the time, all throughout the bible. In fact, our salvation is based on this one word.

Love is God’s motivation for our salvation but righteousness is the anchor.

Knowing what the bible says about righteousness helps us to break it down in a specific and helpful way so that we know why we live the life we choose.  It helps us to practically link Christ’s offer of salvation to our choices and behaviour and why we might even think it’s worth suffering for.

1 John 2:29 (GWT)

If you know that Christ has God’s approval, you also know that everyone who does what God approves of has been born from God.

1 Peter 3:14 (NLV)

But even if you suffer for doing what is right, you will be happy. Do not be afraid or troubled by what they may do to make it hard for you.

Psalm 106:3 (GWT)

Blessed are those who defend justice and do what is right at all times.

Justice is an integral part of righteousness. Where there is a breakdown of righteousness, there is a breakdown of justice and vice versa. If you do what is right at all times, you don’t let things slide. You let it dictate to your conscience and behaviour and be the moral compass you live by, without exception.

Isaiah 33:15-17 (AMP)

He who walks righteously and speaks with integrity, who rejects gain from fraud and from oppression, who shakes his hand free from the taking of bribes, who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed and shuts his eyes to avoid looking upon evil; he will dwell on the heights, his place of defence will be the fortress of rocks, his bread will be given him; his water will be permanent. Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see a far-distant land.

When you decide to walk with the integrity of righteousness, you are seeing something from a long-lens perspective. You understand that motivation is key to action.

So, what does righteousness mean for our daily life?

We see that righteousness comes from God. It is what saves us. It is what propels us. It is what shapes us. We can see that it is the engine to a peaceful existence. We are assured that seeking after God and His righteousness first, is where our real wealth comes from.

Matthew 6:33 (AMP)

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.

2 Timothy 2:22 (GWT)

Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God’s approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart.

Without pursuing righteousness, we are flawed, and morally bankrupt. The absence of righteousness is anarchy. When righteousness matters to us, it becomes something that we can’t be ambivalent about.

Living according to a righteous standard doesn’t mean condemning others, or fearing others when they don’t live the same way. What it means is simply making the choice to live and stand in that position for yourself, being willing to model it, and being willing to defend it.

Hebrews 10:38 (NLT)

And my righteous ones will live by faith [by their faithfulness]. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.”

Breaking down righteousness is helpful for our understanding of who Jesus is, what He did for us, what He expects of us, and how we choose to live as committed followers of Him. Salvation isn't a one-decision-wonder. It takes daily decisions of integrity that lead to everlasting wealth.

Righteousness isn’t about legalism, it’s about aligning with the gift of grace given to us by Jesus Christ, and living up to it.