New Reminders: Righteousness

Righteousness is a word from the Bible that we hear in church, but not so much in everyday conversation. It is used to describe something or someone who is especially virtuous, morally pure and just. It implies a very high level of goodness, decency and even holiness. When we say that something is righteous, we mean that it is justifiable, such as righteous indignation. We mean that we have a right to be angry and to stand up for what is morally right. We are less prone to describe a person as a righteous man or woman. We are reluctant to judge another as holy because we know that all have sinned and fallen short. Only God can make such judgements.

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, the word righteousness means being approved by God. To be declared righteous, in God's sight, we must be willing to give all of our sins over to Christ who died in our place and take up His righteousness. That is hard to grasp because it sounds too good to be true. Yet it is true! If we ask Him, God will take our sin and exchange it for His righteousness. That does not mean that we should walk around acting self-righteous, because it not we who are righteous, it is God. We are just acting on His behalf when we do righteous things.

John Wesley pointed out, the only way we are ever justified, in what we do, is by faith in Jesus. “It is faith in Christ which God imputes, reckons, or considers as righteousness.” In other words, the good and just things we do are the fruit (result) of our faith. "The Works of the Rev. John Wesley”, Volume 7, J. & J. Harper, 1826, Page 281.

God expects us to actively pursue righteousness in our lives! John Stott wrote, “We are simply to run from evil as we run from danger, and to run after goodness as we run after success. That is, we have to give our mind, time and energy to both flight and pursuit.” Guard The Truth, John Stott, 1996, p.155

“Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22. “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8. “And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.” Philippians 3:9. Let the Holy Spirit guide you!