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Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness
Delivereth from death. Prov10:2 Righteousness is a great blessing and promises great rewards. In the book of Proverbs the contrast between the righteous and the wicked is clearly marked. The righteous will be blessed and the wicked will suffer punishment. Even in the Babylonian system righteousness is esteemed higher than wickedness and deceit. The righteous will prosper and the wicked will suffer defeat. It should be a goal of all Christians to be righteous for in so being, one is blessed and is a blessing. Righteousness is a virtue that is acquired. We are not born righteous. We are born with a sin nature and we need the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. When we plead the blood of Christ for the forgiveness of sin the work of righteousness begins. To be free from sin begins the process of becoming a righteous person. We must desire freedom from sin and being put in right relationship with God. Without this experience we may have the desire to be righteous but lack the power. The next step in the process is to become familiar with the word of God. The words of the righteous bring life. In becoming a righteous person the words that we speak are very important. We must know the word of God and we must speak the word in love. If we do, the words that we speak will be a blessing to those who hear them. Next we must be delivered. We may be born again and have a spirit of anger. We may be born again and have a spirit of fear, or of lust, or a lying spirit, or a spirit of jealousy. To be a righteous person means that we have become sanctified, set apart, and delivered. That process can be a long and arduous one. It may take years to rid yourself of a spirit that is not of God but well entrenched in your life. To be a righteous person not only means external right living but to be righteous in your thoughts and spirit too. You will know that you have become righteous when you see that where in the past you would have acted one way, now you act differently. You will also know you have become righteous when you see people recognizing your virtue and wishing your counsel and guidance. Finally, righteousness is the product of the Holy Spirit. By being filled with the Spirit and led by the Spirit your righteousness will be felt by those around you. Desire righteousness. It is a mark of God on the soul for good and not for evil. The rewards are everlasting life and blessings for all you meet. Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, the righteousness of a life of faith and good works. Amen |