JULY 5: BEARING GOD’S PRESENCE: WHAT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS?

Merriam-Webster defines righteousness as “acting in accordance with divine or moral law and therefore free from blame, guilt or sin, morally right and justifiable…”

The above definition of righteousness can be summarized as the quality of being morally true or justifiable. This is better understood when compared with conforming to the human or moral law. However, righteousness is an attribute that solely belongs to God and no man can be justified by himself, neither can the works of his hands, apart from God’s ordinance. Righteousness is therefore a wonderful gift from God to man through His undying love. This is inputted into any man who believes in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. It is a gift from God.

Before their fall into sin, Adam and Eve were righteous in God’s eyes, not because of their obedience, but because God declared them so and they believed. In a world where people want to justify their behaviour and ways of life, righteousness becomes relative but that’s not so with God’s standard.

Righteousness, simply put, is the quality of being right in the eyes of God; through character (nature), conduct (action) and command (words). Righteousness, therefore, is based on God’s standard alone because He (God) is the ultimate Lawgiver.

Here is the good news, the righteousness from God is not legalistic, neither is it about our achievements or attainments in this life. It is a gracious and beautiful gift from God to man through the love and finished work of Christ Jesus on the cross. Hallelujah!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide us to live righteously, reflecting Your presence in our actions. Help us to choose integrity, love, and obedience daily, embodying Your truth. May our lives shine with Your light, impacting those around us. Strengthen our hearts to walk in Your ways, in Jesus’ name. Amen.