Exercise righteousness

04/07/2020

Romans 3 v 10; 2 Corinthians 5 v 21; 2 Timothy 2 v 14 - 24
Exercise righteousness

How can we exercise righteousness, doing what is right, just and good, if there are “none righteous, not even one“?

The only way we can be considered righteous in the eyes of God, is through our faith in the risen Jesus and not our own efforts. We are declared free of the penalty of sin, because He exchanged our sin for His righteousness (2 Cor 5 v 21).

Just as it was reckoned unto Abraham as righteousness for believing the Lord’s promise (Gen 15 v 6), we too become the righteousness of God through the death of Christ, when we believe in Him as our Saviour and accept His gift of grace.

So how do we exercise righteousness? By putting on the breastplate of righteousness (Eph 6 v 14). How do we make it practical, you may ask? Here are a few ways we can practice righteousness according to Paul:

1. Accurately handle (according to) the word of truth
2. Preaching the word in a truthful manner
3. Avoid worldly and empty chatter
4. Abstain from wickedness
5. Flee from “youthful lusts”
6. Be kind and patient, avoiding quarrels

Does this mean we must do good deeds in order to become righteous? We can try, but that is not how God works. The above will be a natural outcome, should we “pursue righteousness, [through our] faith, [with] love and [in] peace with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (vers 22) for their salvation.

Put on your breastplate of righteousness today, pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace and you will meet the righteous ONE who exchanged His life and righteousness for our sin so that we may become the righteousness of God.

“Scripture quotations taken from the NASB, Life Application Study Bible, unless stated otherwise. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation”