Posts Tagged ‘righteousness’

In the midst of an exhortation to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God, Paul reminds us that we can only do that in accordance with the measure of faith God has given us (Romans 12). Peter, in his second epistle, expounds on how we are to take that God-given faith as a base and add to it goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love; we are to “possess these qualities in increasing measure.”  If we are moving in that direction we will be kept “from being ineffective and unproductive” in our true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul, in his first letter to Timothy, tells the young pastor to train himself to be godly because “godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” He adds that “godliness with contentment is great gain,” and to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith …” And “Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,” writes “to those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by Jesus Christ;” and he urges us to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” James has much to say regarding faith and deeds. While it is obvious that our salvation comes purely as a gift from God, it appears that our God-given faith becomes a foundational platform to be built upon.

Before we start thinking that we can bring this about in our own strength, we should turn to the Old Testament. Solomon, in Psalm 127, proclaims, “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.” Proverbs 3 sort of ties this rambling meditation together. Verse 3 says to “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Verse 4 speaks of the effectiveness and fruitfulness of the faith life; “Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” And the familiar verses (5-6) remind us where to go in order to build on the God-given faith. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Even with our best intentions we fall short of God’s righteousness. Numerous places in Scripture^* indicate that man, without the LORD’s leading, will do what is right in his own eyes. That sounds good, makes sense, and is logical and understandable. What more could God expect than for us to do what we believe is right?

The problem is that even our best efforts only amount to filthy rags^** in God’s eyes. Our righteousness is no righteousness at all because anything we do that is not done in faith is sin. ^*** The only way we can put on a robe of righteousness is to do what is right in the eyes of the LORD. ⁺

 ^* Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25, Proverbs 21:2, Judges 17:6, Judges 21:25, etc.; ^** Isaiah 64:6; ^*** Romans 14:23; ⁺ Exodus 15:26, Deuteronomy 6:18, Deuteronomy 12: 8,25,28, Deuteronomy 13:18, Proverbs 17:24, Isaiah 33:15, etc.

During His sermon on the mount, Jesus exhorts us to “Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.”  James tells us to draw near to God and He will draw near to us. The author of Hebrews proclaims, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (NIV)

Do we believe in the Word that was made flesh and dwelt among us enough to earnestly seek Him? Do we believe in the faithful and just God that chooses to forgive and cleanse us and declare us righteous? Or are we like the voice from Psalm 10:4 who in his pride  does not seek Him;  in all his thoughts there is no room for God?