Paths of Righteousness for His Name's Sake
What is righteousness and how do we attain it? Is this something that is used to brow beat the believer and produce expected conduct?
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:3
Righteousness
The word means doing what is correct, just, right. It means following the norms or rules. It is being honest and loyal.
The truth is that no man can make himself righteous. It is a gift of God. Too often, religion makes righteousness something you do rather than what God has given you. God gives us righteousness as a gift. Righteousness will bear fruit in our lives, as you will see soon.
A Gift
For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Romans 5:17.
This righteousness comes by the faith of Jesus Christ, by believing. This is not the righteousness of religion or what a man can produce. It is the very righteousness of God. It comes by the faith of Jesus Christ Himself. We receive that gift by believing.
By Faith
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:22–23.
God counts our believing, trusting, and faith in Him as righteousness. That accounting term refers to God placing righteousness on our account. We were ungodly, but He justified us. He counted our faith for righteousness. The Lord doesn’t impute sin to us. God credited righteousness to our account. It is not by the work that we do.
Credited to our Account
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. 9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. Romans 4:3–9.
We simply believe in our heart. We rely on, trust, accept the truth that God makes us righteous as a gift and simply believe God and it is done.
Simply Believe
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:10.
The Father put our wrongs, sins, and depravity on Jesus Christ. God in human flesh made Himself sin for us. God did that so that we might become the very righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. He knew no sin, took our sins, and made believers approved, acceptable, and righteous by His grace and goodness.
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. II Corinthians 5:21.
Do not frustrate the grace of God. Don’t throw it away. If you could be righteous, make yourself righteous, follow enough rules, and do enough good stuff, then Jesus Christ died in vain. Do not treat God’s grace like it isn’t essential. Avoid defeating or destroying the very purpose of the cross. Do not set aside what Jesus did. Quit trying to invalidate the work of Jesus. Grace saved you, so do not go back to the rule-keeping and man-pleasing religion. Instead, live in the sweet relationship with God made possible by that grace.
Stop Invalidating God’s Grace
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Galatians 2:21.
God’s grace, birthing us, giving us His righteousness, will produce fruit in us. The new life in you will show itself.
Fruits of Righteousness
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11.
We were born into a new family. Our Father shows in us. Our righteousness doesn’t come from self-effort but from His work in us.
Produced from within
If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. I John 2:29.
Do you realize God is working on you? He puts righteousness on our account, but that doesn’t mean we live up to everyone’s expectations. It is about a gift, not behavior. This is a hard verse because we would never believe that Lot was just or righteous, but God said He was in the family, even though he wasn’t acting like it. That is GRACE!