Boy, oh boy! This week is gonna be big. Because, I've been waiting to write about this topic for awhile now. The thing is, righteousness takes some foundational background. We needed to cover a few topics like faith, grace, mercy, love, and so on to give this topic a footing. Why? Because the the writer of Hebrews explains that new believers aren't able to rightly wield righteousness with full intent and purpose. Why? Well aren't we full of questions this week, ha-ha. The simple reason is that "babes" are still trying to get their heads wrapped around what it means to be a Christian. They aren't quite ready for the meatier matters of God's word. And Righteousness is right up there with the meatier matters!
For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:13-14
That's not to say "babes" or new Christians don't have any righteousness in them. That would be a silly statement. We were created in God's image after all. We all have that ability to seemingly "know right from wrong". But to truly "get it" we need Christ in us. As soon as a person confesses their faith in Christ, righteousness is delivered as part of the package. Paul wrote about this in Romans 3:22, Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
But, I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's back up into the Old Testament for a moment and get a history lesson.
A History Lesson:
After Adam allowed sin to work within him and his wife, God had to come up with a plan to bring man back to Him, a plan of reconciliation if you will. Because, one that is out of God's favor has everything to do with righteousness, or the lack of it that is. It just so happened that God picked a nomadic character named Abram to be the seed that would sprout a nation of people, and would also bring forth the Savior of the World. Abram would become Abraham, who was called a man after God's own heart and friend, all because of Abraham's faith in God (Genesis 15:6) (Hebrews 11).
So, God raised a nation of believers out of Abraham's children. They became the ones known as the Israelites, the Jewish nation. They were governed by God's law. As a symbol of their commitment to God, each male born into a Jewish family, or or any male person converted to their religion was circumcised (Genesis 17:10-14). And the law of their covenant with God was what set them apart from all other nations. And one who followed God's laws was considered righteous by God, as this person was acting on faith.
For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright. Psalms 11:7
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalms 23:3
Alas, pride and prejudice seemed to seep into the ones that should have known better. Fast forward a few thousand years, and we find that the religious leaders of the day had become corrupted with their power and prestige. Christ warned us that unless our righteousness exceeded that of the scribes and pharisees, we would not see heaven (Matthew 5:20). Self right became a very dangerous trap.
The importance of Righteousness:
The crux of the relationship with God, especially when it comes to righteousness, is Christ. Paul writes:
Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 3:22-26
As God's covenant with His people was hinged on their faith, so it is with the new covenant. We must first believe in Christ, that He was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified for our sins, and rose on the third day to be our mediator and Lord of our lives. His righteousness made way to cover our sins by the grace power of the blood. That is not to say we should continue to live in sin, but to strive to become perfected in His Word and Spirit.
As circumcision became the sign of commitment to God's covenant to His people, so it is with His new covenant Through Christ, but with a twist. As the old covenant was based on action, on the physical, the new covenant is based on faith and the renewing of our minds. Paul continues to write:
And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which [he had yet] being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also: Romans 4:11
As the new covenant with God is through Christ, we don't need to be physically circumcised to be the sons of God, but our hearts need to be circumcised of unwanted thoughts and desires, those things that keep God from blessing us...He calls it sin. It is the power of Grace to cast out this sin, but it is the job of righteousness to protect our hearts as is spoken of in Ephesians 6:14 and in Isaiah 59:17.
As the warrior's breastplate serves to protect the heart and all the vital organs of the body that sustains life, so does righteousness protect our way of thinking and living. It can do this because righteousness warns us when we are about to sin. It is our compass that keeps us focused on God right, and not self right! You've heard of the moral compass before, right?
And if Christ [be] in you, the body [is] dead because of sin; but the Spirit [is] life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. Rom 8:10-11
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness,
and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Rom 14:17
The kingdom of God this passage speaks of is within us, and is the key to our spiritual growth and maturity. As our knowledge grows of the Word, we can more effectively use it to guide our decisions in life. The Holy Spirit then gives us the ability to discern, understand, and put into action that which we know is right.
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish
their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of
God. Romans 10:3
The Practical Application of Righteousness:
As with all the other lessons we've had in the Holy Spirit, the key factor is to grow it within us by asking God for that specific characteristic. Also to study what God says about it in His Word. Then to practice it in our lives. Again, Paul writes to Timothy a letter of encouragement and instruction that is very appropriate here as well. He said:
All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. II Timothy 3:17
This tells us to study, study, study. The Word of God is our first defense against the evil one. Christ used it as a defense against Satan during His temptations in the desert. Our second weapon is of course His Spirit.
And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah 32:17
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:18
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Galatians 5:17-18
So, our guidance is to study. We need to become strong in His Word so we can know the difference between "God-right" and "self-right". We are to practice our faith in Christ. This means as we go day by day, we trust He is in control. We live by faith that God knows best, and His wisdom is higher than ours. We need to be peaceable with ourselves and others.
As was said at the beginning, to live a righteous life takes some growth, maturity, wisdom. It is the responsibility of those who are living a righteous life to teach the new Christians in the way of Jesus, so they can begin to live that righteous life as well.
Here's our homework this week. If you are a new Christian, continue in your daily personal study time. Also, seek out a Godly mentor to ask questions, to pray with, to use as an accountability partner. If you are a seasoned Christian, seek opportunities for teachable moments. Pray for God to show you a young Christian that may need a confidant. It is our duty to bring the "babes" up in a Godly manner.
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: Hebrews 12:28
Here are a few scripture to consider during your personal quiet time.
Romans 5:17-18 Romans 10:3-6
II Corinthians 6:4-9 Galatians 2:20-21
Galatians 3:28-29 Ephesians 4:17-24
1 John 3:23-24
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