August 2009

Righteousness Lived Out

“If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices
righteousness is born of Him.”
1 John 2:29

God the Holy Spirit resides within every believer in Christ. It is the Holy Spirit who enables the Christian to live as God desires. “He leads me in the path of righteousness for His names sake”, Psalm 23:3b. This does not mean the Christian is perfect and never makes mistakes or sins. It does mean the desire of the Christian is to live holy and upright according to God’s standard. The example and life of Jesus is the pattern. It is the life of Jesus the Holy Spirit desires to live out through the Christian.

This righteousness is learned by the believer as the Holy Spirit gives understanding through the Word of God, the Bible. “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 complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work”, 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Remember the definition of righteousness; holy and upright living in accordance to God’s standard. “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word”, Psalm 119:9. Simply put, the Bible says do not steal, so do not steal! God says do not lie, so do not lie! Jesus commands us to love one another, so there is no room on the heart of Christians for hatred or prejudice! Jesus employs Christians to be witnesses to the lost world of the Gospel message of Jesus, the Redeemer of the repentant, so be a witness and share with others what Christ has done for you! The Scriptures state we should pray about everything, so stop worrying and prayerfully take your cares to the Father!

Our lives will bear witness of our relationship with Jesus according to our text in 1 John 2:29. If we are born of Him, we will live like Him. Yes, Christians will still sin and do wrong, but the habitual practice and pattern of their life will be a life of righteousness. If there is no desire for righteous, godly, and holy living, then you should examine yourself as to whether you are in the faith, 2 Corinthians 13:5

Righteousness is an essential element of the spiritual armor needed in the battle against evil and Satan. In Ephesians 6:14 the Christian is encouraged to “. . . put on the breastplate of righteousness.” This right living guards our hearts and minds and prevents the devil from weighting us down under the burden of condemnation. We read in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” In 2 Corinthians 6:3 and 7 one reads, “We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. . . by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.”

A lifestyle of righteousness is essential if we desire to make an eternal impact in the lives of others and for the glory of God, our Father. What does it take to begin this relationship with Holy God? It takes “. . . repentance toward God and faith toward Jesus Christ”, Acts 20:21

Holy Spirit, lead us in the path of righteousness for His names sake!

Learning to serve,
Robert Finley