RIGHTEOUSNESS
Righteousness is one of the most interesting doctrines in the Christian faith. It is a gift given to those who receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The bible says the Lord is righteous, and He loves righteousness.
In its simplest form, righteousness deals with our relationship with the creator, and with people around us, our brothers and sisters, friends, neighbours, colleagues and business partners.
There are two types of righteousness. There is the righteousness has come from your obedience to the word or voice of God, and there is the righteousness that is a gift from God through Jesus Christ. Abraham, the friend of God believed in God and it was counted to him for righteousness. The bible says Noah and many others were found to be righteous men who walked with God due primarily to their faith and absolute trust in God and His word.
There is the Righteousness that comes from accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. This is a situation where God see you as the righteousness of Christ and based on that your weaknesses are wiped out. This righteousness may be a gift like other gifts, but until you begin to practise it, you are not living right before God.
In 1 John 3:7, the bible says that he who practices righteousness is righteous. It's a gift you must practise and adopt as a lifestyle, and until you discipline your body and bring yourself under the control of the word of God and do what the word says, you are not living the righteous life.
Righteous behaviours in dealing with people is a sign that you fear the LORD, and love your neighbour. Righteousness starts from the home and spreads to your neighbour. When the Lord started to teach the children of Israel His ways and how to live in the promised land they were going in to possess, He spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the Lord your God am holy.
He says, Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and keep my sabbaths: I am the Lord your God. Turn ye not unto idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the Lord your God. Charity begins at home. Have respect and fear for your parents, love your brothers and sisters at home from your heart.
Righteous conduct and show of love begins at home and so, reconciling with your brother who is angry with you better than the gifts you offer to God while holding malice or grudges with your brother or sister.
In Mathew 5:23-24, the bible says if you bring your gift to the church and there realizes that your brother is not happy with you, he has something against you, the LORD says you should leave your gifts in the alter, go back and reconcile with your brother, after which you can return to the church and offer your gift.
In Lev 19:9-18, the LORD taught them compassion for the poor when He says: When ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gathers the gleanings of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gathers every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the Lord your God.
Make provision for the poor. Leave something for the less privileged in the society and leave something in the farm for them to harvest. In our world today, that will means to give a worthy portion of your blessing for the less privileged regularly - monthly if you can.
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. This is followed spiritual and physical integrity: And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profanes the name of thy God: I am the Lord. You shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
You shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the Lord. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
The LORD warned against gossip when He told them not to go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the Lord.
The Lord says there should not be hatred, neither should you avenge or bear grudges. He says in 17-18 of Leviticus: Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.
These are righteous behaviours in your dealing, which shows love for God and your neighbour, which is the greatest commandments and there is no other commandments greater than these Mark 12:29-31.
Benefits of Righteous dealing with Others:
1. The eyes of the Lord are upon you for good, to hear your cry and to ansper your prayers. He will raise you up again each time you fall and the Lord will not abandon you to your enemies Psalm 34:15-17.
2. Because you show mercy and give, the Lord will not forsake you, He will uphold you, cause you to inherit the land and dwell therein peace - Psalms 37:17-29.
3. You shall flourish like a Palm Tree and the Lord shall be your refuge and you shall not be moved. The rod of the wicked shall not rest on your lot and you will be in everlasting remembrance.
4. The LORD will deliver you from troubles, and no trouble shall overtake you in life. The LORD will meet all your desires in Christ Jesus.
How to Start
1. The righteous chooses his friends carefully - Proverbs 12:26
2. The righteous hates lying - Prov 13:5
3. The righteous studies how to answer people, what to say and do. He walks in his integrity - Prov20:7
4. The righteous is bold as a Lion, considers the cause of the poor and the eyes of the Lord is upon him for good - (Prov 28:1, 29:7)
5. The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom and his lips knows what is acceptable and his thoughts are right. He gives thanks unto the Lord always and his desires shall be granted.
If you are not living righteously, your potentials as a child of God will hardly blossom, so ask God for help today and He will give you the grace to live for him.
Conclusion
Finally, my beloved friends, Jesus is coming back very soon, to take believers into a life of peace and joy, without trouble and pains in paradise. If you will receive today as your Lord and Saviour, He will give you the power to succeed in life and make heaven at last.
For those who are still considering surrendering their lives to Him, I plead with you to repent of your sins and receive Him today. Say this prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to You in the name of Jesus. I am a sinner and I believe Jesus died for my sins, and He arose for my justification. I, therefore, open my heart to receive Him as my Lord and Savior.
Lord Jesus Christ, come and reign in my heart. Thank You for saving my life, make me Your own from today and write my name in the book of life.
You're born again!
FIRE...
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