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Choose to Be Righteous

The word “righteous” is not part of our culture’s everyday vocabulary. If you hear it at all, it is likely to be hyphenated, as in “self-righteous” and used in a derogatory way.

Self-righteousness is ugly and tends to drive people away with a sense of condemnation while inflating the ego of its possessor. Righteousness, without the hyphenated self in front of it, is beautiful and winsome and can only be held in a spirit of humility.

It is useful to keep in mind that we use two English words, “righteous” and “just,” to translate the one Greek word “dikaiov.” (dik’ -ah -yos) While English-speakers may separate the ideas of righteousness and justice, in the language of the New Testament they are inextricably linked.

Righteousness (and when I use the word here, it will always include the idea of justice) is an attribute which may be applied in its fullness only to God. It does not come naturally to humans. However, on those days when they are walking closest to Him, God’s people reflect His righteousness to the sinful environment around them.

The righteous can expect some good things to flow from their righteousness - things any child of God would desire:

Since righteousness has such far-reaching benefits, it is appropriate for us to seek it. The prophet Zephaniah commanded God’s people in his day to: “Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility.” (Zeph 2:3) Looking at some specific aspects of righteousness will help us get a clear sense of what it is we should be seeking.

The righteous are careful to observe divine laws. They make a whole-hearted attempt to keep God’s standard. They don’t do a perfect job of it, but they carry on in spite of that. They have a righteous advocate in heaven to plead their case and secure them new grace for a new day.

The righteous are innocent or blameless. They are not sinless, but they do seek to sin less each day. They are troubled by sin, especially their own. When they discover sin in their life, they confess it promptly so that, though no longer innocent, they are blameless before God.

The righteous are upright. They do what is right. They don’t seek to cut corners, aiming to meet only the minimum requirements of God’s law. They desire to do what is right, whether anyone is watching them or not, because they are living to please God.

The righteous are virtuous. They are good people. This includes the idea of being morally good, but touches social relationships through good works. They are quick to share the benefits God has given them with those who have less. They are characterized by open hearts and hands.

The righteous are just or fair and it’s particularly important to mention that we are talking about justice or fairness according to God’s standards. Sometimes human laws are unjust. The righteous look to God when they have to make a hard choice. Their judgment on issues reflects their best understanding of God’s values.

All of these overlap to a greater or lesser degree, but each also carries a slightly different shade of meaning which enriches our appreciation of the overall concept.

Now, I have a little bad news. Earlier, I indicated that self-righteousness elicits a negative response from people, while I described righteousness as “beautiful and winsome.” But that is typically the response only of other righteous people. Those who fall into the “unrighteous” category are often just as uncomfortable with the truly righteous as with the self-righteous.

Perhaps you’ve experienced this for yourself. When you are in the presence of truly faithful followers of Jesus, you may feel inadequate, that you don’t measure up, that you don’t even have the same potential. If you let your flesh surface, you may find yourself looking for something to criticize in them, rather than thanking God for the depth and richness of their walk with Him.

I mention this, so you will not think of righteousness as something that will enhance your position with others. It might have the opposite effect. God’s choicest servants have been criticized, persecuted and killed from the very beginning of the human family.

At the same time, don’t lose heart. True righteousness opens the door to spiritual power which we can’t imagine. Answers to prayer, a sense of God’s presence, hope above all hopes, and a vibrant life of faith are just some of the benefits the righteous can expect.

So choose righteousness. It is a divine attribute in which we are divinely invited to participate. We’ll never be able to do it on our own, but clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, we can enter into that which would otherwise lie forever outside of our grasp.

Ron Hughes
© June 2009