Daily Journal: 27 September

Righteousness Isn’t About

Us Being Sinless

We are being trained into the character of righteousness because of our sin, through our testing, and the discipline of a loving, heavenly Father.

Hebrews 12:10-11 (NIV)

But God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

The heart of righteousness is not about self.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (GNT)

For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it.

Righteousness is about faith.

Genesis 15:6 (NLT)

And Abram believed the LORD, and the LORD counted him as righteous because of his faith.

Righteousness is about justice.

Psalm 89:14 (NASB)

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Mercy and [faithfulness] truth go before You.

Righteousness isn’t about our perfection.

Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

Because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

Righteousness isn’t about us being sinless. David understood God's forgiveness in his great sin.

Psalm 51:1 (NASB)

Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithfulness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, wipe out my wrongdoings.

Righteousness is about God’s grace.

Romans 5:19 (AMP)

For just as through one man’s disobedience (Adam) [his failure to hear, his carelessness] the many were made sinners, so through the obedience of the one Man (Jesus) the many will be made righteous and acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him. 

Righteousness is about being after God’s own heart, despite our sinfulness.

Acts 13:22 (TLB)

But God removed him [Saul] and replaced him with David as king, a man about whom God said, ‘David (son of Jesse) is a man after my own heart, for he will obey me.’

Righteousness is about God’s perfection.

Deuteronomy 32:4 (NKJB)

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.

Righteousness is about peace.

Isaiah 32:16-17 (NIV)

The Lord’s justice will dwell in the desert, his righteousness live in the fertile field. The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

Further reading: The Kingdom of Righteousness: Isaiah 32