THOUGHTS ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS

 

If I understand the Bible correctly, our Heavenly Father puts a big premium on something called righteousness.  This is revealed in many passages, but it is probably most clear in 2 Corinthians 5:21:

 

For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the 

righteousness of God in him.

 

This verse declares that Jesus suffered the unspeakable agonies, the unthinkable torments and the unimaginable shame of Calvary that we might have, "the righteousness of God."

 

Why would someone suffer such heinous indignities unless it is vitally important?  If you want to see something of how important righteousness is to the heart of God, look at the cross.  Look at what He did that we might have it!  Look at the suffering he endured that we might possess this righteousness.

 

For any person with an ounce of decency about them, the recognition of what our Lord did that we might have the potential to know this thing called righteousness, the only natural response would be, "If it is so important to God that I have it, help me Lord to receive what You have paid such a price for me to receive!"

 

Let's think a moment more!  Yes, we see that whatever righteousness is, it is vital that we have it, but, we have not yet explained what it is.  Dare I ask: What is righteousness?

 

If you look the word up in the dictionary, you will find that righteousness is condition of being, "Without guilt or sin."

 

That helps, but who knows anyone who is that morally perfect?

 

If you look at the Bible, you will find that this thing called righteousness is unique to God and the only way we can possess it is to be possessed by His righteous presence.

 

For in regard to man the Bible is quite clear, "There is none righteous, no not one"

 

When we study further, we find that righteousness is a condition of our soul.  It is a state or condition.  Righteousness is a characteristic that illustrates itself in behavior. 

 

Here's where many get very confused.  Some believe righteousness is something you achieve by self-discipline.  Some might tell you that righteousness is the result of doing right things.  The Bible is quite clear, however.  Righteousness cannot be achieved through behavior.  However, that same Bible suggests that righteousness will be illustrated by behavior

 

Righteousness is a gift which only comes to us upon the receiving of Christ as one's personal Savior and Lord.  When Christ and His righteousness come into our being, He brings His righteousness into us and we are possessed by the righteous Christ.

 

Once we are possessed by Christ in the form of His Spirit, we are made new.  "Old things are passed away, behold all things are become new."

 

Among the many things that this means, one stands out.  Before Christ we were incapable of righteousness.  Now, by His presence, we have the capacity to illustrate righteousness which is not our own but is in us in Christ.  This righteous behavior will shine through when we are surrendered to the will of God. 

 

:Let me make one thing very clear.  No one is perfectly surrendered to Him.  "If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

 

Yet, though no one is perfectly and completely surrendered, our spiritual growth, our spiritual maturity is measured by how much of us Jesus controls by His presence within us.  When we surrender to Him, He lives through us and the resulting behavior which is the result of our surrender to Him is His righteousness being exhibited through us.

 

Well, what does this righteousness look like?  Can it be described?

 

As weak a my intellect and as insufficient as I am, I will do my best to describe this attribute of God.  But keep in mind that no one can describe it fully, this side of eternity.

 

As best as I can do, I would suggest that righteousness has three facets in its description:

 

1. Righteousness is character that is unblemished

 

2. Righteousness is character that is unblameable

 

3. Righteousness is character that is unreprovable

 

Let me explain each briefly:

 

Character is not only measured by what we are within but it is measured by how we behave.  We will behave in a manner that reflects our character.  We live what we believe.

 

Character that is unblemished means that it is without spot, stain or wrinkle.  It has no failure, no spec of inconsistency.  No man has this kind of character but every true Christian is possessed by Him who has this unblemished character.

 

Character that is unblameable means that though many might attempt to lay the charge of error, deceit, wrong or sin at the feet of this person, when the truth is told, the truly righteous person will be unblameable.  No man has this quality about him, but every true Christian is possessed by One who is unblameable in His character.

 

Finally, character that is unreprovable means that one who is righteous doesn't make mistakes that have to be corrected.  There is no man on earth with this quality either, but there is in the heart of every true believer one who never errs, who never missteps and as a result, never needs to be corrected.

 

After I muse on all these thoughts, I take three things with me today.  First, I am devoid of righteousness and am in desperate need of it.  I am unable to attain it, but Jesus offers it to me when he offers me Himself.

 

Second, righteousness is not something I will always exhibit, but when I surrender to Him in obedience, I will exhibit the righteousness of Christ within me. 

 

Grant it to me, Father, that I might live more under the influence of Your righteousness than the influence of the false righteousness of this world.