I LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS
Part 1
"For the righteous Lord loves righteousness," Psalm 11:7
God loves righteousness. If God loves righteousness and we belong to
Him, don't you think we should love righteousness too? It is not a matter
of trying to be righteous. It is a matter of loving righteousness.
What is righteousness? The word means "blameless conduct and integrity,
right actions and attitudes, truth, faith, obedience and justice." Righteousness
goes far beyond laws and regulations. It is not legality. Righteousness is
life. It is Christ's life living in and through us. True righteousness flows
through our countenance as we smile at our loved ones; through our hands
as we comfort, caress and minister God's healing and love; through our feet
as we go about doing good; and through our heart as we show compassion,
but act with justice and integrity.
God associates righteousness with many attributes in His Word. As we
look at these qualities we will understand more of God's righteousness
and how we can practically live it out in our lives.
Righteousness is associated with Joy
Hebrews 1:9 says, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity;
therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness
above thy fellows." Because Christ Jesus the Son loves righteousness, He
is anointed with the oil of gladness Psalm 45:7). Righteousness is the
opposite of looking pious. It is the opposite of misery. If we walk in
righteousness, we'll abound with joy. We'll laugh and sing! Our homes
will resound with laughter and gladness. Can you imagine the joyful
atmosphere in the homes that are pictured in Psalm 118:15? "The voice
of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous."
Psalm 68:3 says, "Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before
God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice." Read also Psalm 32:11; 33:1;
51:14b; 64:10; 89:15-16; 97:11-12; 145:7; Proverbs 10:28; 29:6 and
Isaiah 64:5a.
We go over to the New Testament and see the same association, "For the
kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and
joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17).
Righteousness is associated with Peace
Isaiah 32:17-18 says, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and
the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever. And my
people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and
in quiet resting places." Psalm 85:10 tells us that "Righteousness and
peace have kissed each other." (Isaiah 48:18)
Righteousness is the opposite of anxiety and stress. Some people are so
intent on obeying laws (often man-made laws) that they are filled with
tension. God's righteousness works peace in our lives. God's
righteousness enables us to make peace in our homes. Read
Hebrews 12:11 and James 3:18. I know of one marriage that divorced
because the wife believed it was wrong to celebrate Christmas. It is
not a matter of who was right or wrong. Righteousness would make
peace and harmony and keep the marriage together!
Righteousness is associated with Stickability
God promises, "He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved" Psalm
55:22. Read also Proverbs 10:30 and 12:3. Righteousness is the opposite
of being tossed to and fro. We will not be shaken by the circumstances
that happen in our lives, no matter how unexpected. We will stand
unmoved because we trust in a righteous God who only does what is right.
Job confessed, "My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go"
Job 27:6. Read also Job 17:9 and Isaiah 54:14.
Righteousness is associated with Generosity
Psalm 37:21 says, "The righteous shows mercy, and gives." Read also
Psalm 37:25-26; 112:9 and Proverbs 29:7.
Proverbs 21: 26 says, "The righteous gives and spares not." God's
righteousness is opposite to stinginess. If we are walking in God's
righteousness, we'll be liberal. We'll be constantly giving-giving our
finances, giving hospitality, giving our time to serve others, giving love,
giving smiles and giving words of encouragement and inspiration. We
will not hold back but pour out everything we have.
Love from NANCY CAMPBELL
PRAYER:
"Oh Father God, please save me from walking in the righteousness of the
Pharisees who relied on their own good deeds. Fill me with your
righteousness so that your life will flow through me. Amen."
AFFIRMATION:
Christ's righteousness in me is joy and peace!
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