Sunday – Righteousness can’t be bought…by us, but there is a cost.
“…you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold..” I Pet.1:18
The Bible has nearly 1,200 references to the word righteous or righteousness, holy or holiness. And that doesn’t even count any other synonyms. So, my conclusion is it must be important to God. We’re going to explore, albeit only at a high level, some of the facets of righteousness this week and why it’s so important.
Let’s start with the most important reason: God commands it. “You shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy.”[1] What does it mean to be holy or righteous? It means we are called to a different standard. Different from the world. Different than how we lived before we met Christ. It means a life borne out of gratitude for God’s indescribable gift (of Jesus).[2] As we work our way through this week, we’ll visit these and more.
Many people, even in the church, look at righteousness as a limitation, a warden, a wet blanket intended to take all the fun out of life. That view couldn’t be farther from the truth. On the contrary, righteousness opens up the very doors of Heaven. We have to re-examine our definition of “fun.” The Bible admits that sin can be pleasurable…for a season.[3] But, even though the world has created instant everything, when were they right about eternal anything? I admit, I like and am often drawn to shiny things. But if I have, through practice, learned to filter everything through the lens of scripture, then “good” things won’t get in the way of “best” things.
How would you feel if you were an 11th hour (5 PM) worker? (see parable in Matt.20:1-16) You didn’t know it when you started, but you got paid the same as the guys who started early that morning (6 AM). Would you be grateful to the boss? Would you feel special? The Kingdom of Heaven is exactly that. If you come to Christ late in life (it’s never too late until you’re dead), you get the exact same thing—Heaven and life with Jesus forever—as those who have known and served God for decades. Get your mind around that for a minute. But, it comes with a price. The price is humility; knowing there is NOTHING we can do to save ourselves and earn righteousness. By humbly believing what Jesus did on the cross (died to pay for my sin), we are given righteousness. Keep reading…
LORD God, It sounds too good to be true, that You will forgive me just because I believe that Jesus died in my place. Open my eyes and heart to know the truth. Amen
[1] Lev. 19:2
[2] II Cor. 9:15
[3] Heb.11:25
Monday – Righteousness is credited to God’s kids.
“But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.” Rom.. 4:5
We all know the difference between a credit and a debit. Credits = money in; debits = money out. The more credits we have the easier it is to meet our budget. You do have a budget, don’t you?
You know the parable of the servant who owed 10,000 talents (literally a zillion dollars) and couldn’t pay.[1] That’s an unimaginable amount (debit). Guess what? The king forgave him the entire amount (credit). The parable starts out, “…the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves.”[2] Today’s topic is exactly what this parable is teaching. Righteousness (credit) is a free gift from God, a credit on our sin-account. By the way, it’s an account we can never reduce let alone pay off by our own work. God’s credit covers all our sins, past, present, and future. Talk about a no-brainer deal.
But some who are reading this will still doubt that this offer applies to them. Jesus said, “the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.” [3] Sounds like a promise to me. There is no exclusion here based on how young or old you are, what color your skin, or how many or how bad your sins are…nothing. There is only one way to get this credit.
Again, Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.”[4] The cost? You must realize that your sin (even if you think it’s not that bad) has separated you from a holy God. Hear what God thinks of your “good deeds”: “All our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment.”[5] So, you want in on this? Good. After you recognize your sin and separation from God and accept that you can’t do anything on your own to make it right, the next step is so simple, many will say something like “no way.” Way!
Believe what Jesus said about Himself: that He died in your place so you could hang out with Him at His place (Heaven)…forever. Confess your sin in prayer to God (no middleman required) and then rejoice that your sins are forgiven…forever. Now for the good part: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”[6] “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written…so that you may know that you have eternal life.”[7]
For a little broader understanding of your situation from God’s perspective, visit the “Steps to Salvation” tab on this site.
Heavenly Father, Thank You. Amen
[1] Matt. 18:23-35
[2] Matt. 18:23
[3] John 6:37
[4] John 14:6 (emphasis added)
[5] Isa. 64:6
[6] Rom. 10:9 (emphasis added)
[7] I John 5:12, 13 (emphasis added)
Tuesday – Righteousness is our response to God for His grace.
“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe;” Heb. 12:28
Remember when mom used to say, “Now Johnny, what is the correct response” when Aunt Emmy gave you a present? Whether you liked it or not, you knew a kiss on Auntie’s cheek and a thank you was what was expected.
Today’s verse talks about gratitude and acceptable service. We generally understand gratitude, but what is acceptable service? For our purposes, I’ll define it as righteous living. Pretty much everything we do can be summed up in the word living. But how we live depends on the adjective, righteous. When we consider yesterday’s session and remember the immeasurable debt that God forgave through Jesus, how can we not be overwhelmed with gratitude and want to live our lives to please the one to whom we owe everything? If that’s not our goal, our heart’s desire, then we need to “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!”[1]
Was there a time when you gave a nice present, an expensive present, and you got a grunt of recognition, maybe a mumbled thanks? Didn’t feel too good did it? You know, God is our father and He’s given us a priceless gift that I’m sure we won’t fully understand until we get home. But meanwhile, we can show our gratitude by right(eous) living. What does that look like? Space doesn’t allow a lengthy discussion, but some key points are appropriate.
Home is where it starts. Your wife and kids need you to exhibit the Godly character traits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control, you know, the fruits of the Spirit.[2] I know, it’s hard. You just want to come home and unwind as if you’re the only one who could have one of those days. If you don’t think your family does too, think again. No matter how tired or beaten down or discouraged you are, you’re still the one the others look to for their support, their encouragement. Man up. Take care of business at home.
The next major impact area in your life is your work world. Do not make the mistake of trying to compartmentalize your faith, family, and job. It doesn’t matter if you’re a stock clerk or a CEO, you’re a man of God in all endeavors. “Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”[3]
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about raising the bar.
Lord God, Most of the time I don’t feel righteous. I feel guilty over my repetitive sin and ashamed to have to keep coming to You time and time again for the same things. Help me to really know your forgiveness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
[1] II Cor. 13:5
[2] Gal. 5:22
[3] I Cor. 16:13
Wednesday – Righteousness demands we live by a higher standard.
“The righteous shall live by faith.” Hab. 2:4
Imagine the most elaborate home you can in Beverly Hills or Saudi Arabia, no expense spared, no finishing touch too extravagant. Everything of the finest quality that money and imagination can conceive. You’d want to live in a house like that, wouldn’t you? Well I’ve got great news for you. The house God has planned for us makes your imagined house look like the city dump by comparison.
This is an example of a higher standard. Jesus told His disciples (and us), “I go to prepare a place for you…”[1]… “a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”[2] Think about the Creator of everything, mountains, seas, stars to name a few, and the magnificence visible to all.[3] If He is creating our future home, with a higher standard than earthly homes, I can’t wait to see it.
A righteous life, by definition, requires a higher standard. Here are just a few examples:
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” [4]
“If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”[5]
“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”[6]
And there are many more. How different the world would be if Christians applied just these three. But we must start somewhere. Men, righteous living is not for sissies. And it’s not a life we can live in our own power. Today’s verse from Habakkuk gives us a clue. First, where does faith come from? It’s a gift from God.[7] And just what is faith? “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”[8] In a nutshell, we believe God’s Word and act on it, knowing that the character of God is truth. Remember, the results of our actions, our lives, are not our responsibility—it’s God’s. So, don’t watch the scoreboard, just do the next right(eous) thing.
Holy God, the more I see of Your requirements for a righteous life, the more I know I can’t do it by myself. Keep me close and hungry for Your Word and Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
[1] John 14:2
[2] II Cor. 5:1
[3] Rom. 1:19, 20
[4] Luke 6:31
[5] Mark 9:35
[6] Phil. 2:3
[7] I Cor. 12:9
[8] Heb. 11:1
Thursday – Righteousness is proven through obedience.
“Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness?” Rom. 6:16
We’ve all tried to pick just the right color from a palette for a room in our house. Usually, it involves more than one trip to the hardware store and more than one “discussion” with our wife. Current styles are all about grays and whites and blacks. Today, God’s Word makes our color choice simple: the outer darkness[1] (the result of sin) or the white robes of righteousness.[2]
When King Saul tried to rationalize to Samuel his and Israel’s disobedience in the battle against the Amalekites by saying, “…the people took some spoil…to sacrifice to the Lord your God at Gilgal.”[3], Samuel called him out on it and said, “…behold, to obey is better than sacrifice…”[4] It cost Saul his kingdom.
Let’s try a “little” test. Using today’s color chart, what color would you call a little lie? Tradition calls it white, but is it? In Paul’s rebuke to the Galatians (chap. 5), he says, “You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?…a little leaven leavens the whole lump.”[5] How’d you do?
Here’s another example to show how much God hates lying and disobedience. When the church was first formed right after Jesus’ resurrection, people were selling their stuff and bringing the money to be used for others’ needs. A married couple sold some property and decided to keep some of the money for themselves, while letting everyone think it was the whole amount. Peter called them out on it. [6] It cost them their lives. They died instantly upon hearing Peter’s rebuke.
Little lies are a chink in our armor of righteousness that our enemy can exploit to our detriment. An overgrown garden starts with a single weed left untreated. A lightbulb is either on or off. A woman is either pregnant or she’s not. You’re either a Ford or Chevy man. You get the point. These examples accept no middle ground. So why would God tolerate anything less than true and full obedience? Righteousness cannot exist apart from it. And it is a life or death decision. Are you in or out?
Lord God, The world has dulled my sense of right and wrong and truth. I know it’s because I spend more time there than in Your Word, which is truth. Create in me a consistent desire to know You on a deeper level and to take Your warnings seriously. In Christ’s name, Amen.
[1] Matt. 25:30
[2] Rev. 7:9, 14
[3] I Sam. 15:20, 21
[4] I Sam. 15:22
[5] Gal. 5:7, 9
[6] Acts 5:1-11
Friday – Righteousness opens the door for effective prayer.
“…The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5:16
When you think of open doors, what mental picture do you get? Rubber pads to step on, electric eyes, other automatic devices, and, of course, doormen—nearly a thing of the past. But what’s beyond that open door? How about words like invitation, welcome, linger, relax? Today’s verse implies all that and much more because it is a promise from God Himself. Notice that through prayer, we can “accomplish much”. How’s your prayer life? Are you accomplishing much? Or do you need some encouragement? As with many of God’s promises, this one comes with a condition: a righteous man. No surprise there, since we’ve been talking about this all week.
By now, I trust that you’ve grasped some of the significance, the seriousness, the blessings of righteousness. And this one I’ve saved until now. Let’s go back to your mental picture and let me suggest God’s slant on His open door. 1. We’re all welcome. 2. Many things are NOT required to enter: No middleman. No fancy words or lengthy phrases, just what’s on our hearts. No special clothing or paraphernalia. No memorized mantras, practiced platitudes, or syrupy supplications. 3. No time limits. We can stay for as long or as short as we need/want to. 4. We can express a full range of emotions: e.g. love, anger, fear. 5. We can come back as often as we want. 6. There’s no age requirement. 7. There’s no strict protocols to get in the way of us talking to “dad”.
The open door I’m talking about is the very door to God’s throne room. He invites us (“Come to me all…and I will give you rest”[1]). He hears us (“The Lord hears when I call to Him.”[2]). He answers us (“Ask and it will be given to you…”[3]).
What about the one condition, the key to open the door: a righteous man? Hopefully, we understand that we are and we aren’t righteous (come back tomorrow). God has granted us righteous standing because of Jesus. This is not something that we can boast about because we didn’t do anything to earn or deserve it.[4] It’s a little like the will your grandpa left. In it, you were to receive everything he had. But until you claim it, you’re just as poor as before. The Christian walk is exactly like that. God has named you in His will and Jesus died that you could claim eternity. Don’t let lack of knowledge, or pride or anything rob you of that.
Father, I want to believe all you’ve said. I want to come to You, talk to You, hang out with You, love you. But so many things pull me away. Open my eyes and ears to the truth that is only in Jesus. In His name, Amen.
[1] Matt. 11:28
[2] Psalm 4:3
[3] Matt. 7:7
[4] I Cor. 4:7
Saturday – Righteousness is both an event and a journey.
“…walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph. 4:1-3
Have you ever heard the saying, “The journey is the destination”? I used to think it was sort of dumb until I started taking short 2- or 3-day trips on the back of a motorcycle. Riding through Colorado, which has some of the most beautiful country in the world, with fresh air blowing in your face, is the reason for the trip as much or more than where you end up. Today’s wrap up is like that.
Righteousness is both a once-for-all-time event that comes when we believe in Jesus. But it’s also a lifetime journey—the “religious” term is sanctification—that moves us practically to the point we are positionally. Thanks to God’s mercy, when we put our faith in Jesus, we are immediately granted forgiveness of all our sins, a reservation in heaven,[1] sealed by the Holy Spirit[2] and imputed righteousness (see Monday). We have settled the most important question we’ll ever face: “What will you do with Jesus?”[3]
As we learned Wednesday, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Now that we’re trusting in Jesus, we don’t have to worry about the future, the bumps in the road (the Bible calls them trials[4]) or our “results”. All of that is in God’s hands.[5] And He does with us what’s best for us and brings Him the most glory. But, and here’s the proof in the pudding, God compares us to branches and He expects fruit and prunes us to produce more.[6] In the same verse, He also says, “Every branch that does not bear fruit, He takes away.”[7]
It is crystal clear in Paul’s comments to the Romans that just because we’re saved, and heaven is assured, we are not to “…continue in sin so that grace may increase.” [8] On the contrary, we prove our love and commitment to Christ through our works: “faith without works is dead.”[9]And this should be our focus as long as we have breath. “Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”[10] We are certainly blessed along the journey, but the destination is clearly worth it.
Father, the journey can seem long and hard. Give me endurance so I can finish well, produce fruit, and hear “well done.” In Jesus’ name, Amen.
[1] John 14:2
[2] Eph. 4:30
[3] Josh. 24:15
[4] Jas. 1:2
[5] Psa. 2:4; Prov. 21:1; Psa. 146:9
[6] John 15:2
[7] Ibid. implied, in judgment
[8] Rom. 6:1, 2, 15
[9] Jas.2:26
[10] I Cor. 10:31