Righteousness

Have you ever heard someone say, "There is none righteous, no not one"? People like to use that verse to justify their sinful ways. It is actually part of a verse, Romans 3:10, and if you read the entire passage, verses 1 through 18, you will see that Paul is speaking of people without Christ in their lives. He was referring to the Jews of his day, who rejected Christ but followed the Law.

I have heard people say, though, that we can't be righteous, and they cite Romans 3:10. It's unfortunate, because the Lord God has given many promises to those who are righteous, and by clinging to their beliefs, these people exclude themselves from those promises.

First of all, what does righteous mean? My dictionary says, "Behaving in a morally upright way; virtuous". We could sum this up by saying "doing the right thing".

When we try to be righteous just by doing good works, without having Jesus clean us up on the inside this is what happens:

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6

Before Jesus came, people were righteous by following God's laws and commandments, and believing that He was the One True God. Jesus came and fulfilled the Law of God and became the one final sacrifice for our sin.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. Romans 10:4

Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24

Now we are righteous by believing that Christ is the only begotten Son of God, that He died and rose again to take away our sin, and by keeping God's commandments and not committing sin. If we do slip up and sin, we repent, get forgiveness, and try by the grace of God not to repeat it. People who say it is impossible for us to be righteous should beware.

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he [Jesus] is righteous. I John 3:7

In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. I John 3:10

Look at some of the wonderful things God has promised to those who follow after righteousness:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33 (What things? The things you need!)

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Proverbs 21:21

The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after
righteousness. Proverbs 15:9

Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times. Psalm 106:3

There are many more, but we don't have room for them all! Don't let anyone fool you into thinking that you cannot be righteous in the sight of God. Yes, you can! Not by yourself (remember the filthy rags) but through Jesus Christ! If you've repented of sin and Christ Jesus is living in you, and you are continuing to walk in His ways, God sees His righteousness in you. God will give you the things you need and the things you long for (according to His will of course). He will love you and will bless you. There is nothing better.