What Does It Mean To Be Righteous?
Righteousness, Unrighteousness, and Self-righteousness
Righteousness, in a general sense, involves good or correct thinking and feelings that cause us to do what is right. In a perfect world, everyone would always make the right choices and do the righteous thing. Righteousness is what we hope to see in others while we are mindful that unrighteous behavior is seldom far away. Even the best of us have some sin that easily misleads us to do the wrong thing which we are encouraged to cast off (Hebrews 12:1). At our best, we are all unrighteous by our own actions confirming what the Scriptures teach—”all have sinned and all fall short…”.
Jesus spoke of righteousness in a different sense, a spiritual righteousness that people hunger and thirst after. It is a righteousness that we all long for but can never obtain on our own. This righteousness is only available through God’s great love for us and Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross. It’s the kind of righteousness we receive into our lives by faith through God’s loving mercy and grace.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
Human righteousness is a reflection of our understanding and experience or the lack thereof of God’s righteousness. The Scriptures reveal a righteousness that is imparted and received from God. It cannot be earned by good behavior and we certainly do not deserve this righteousness that is gifted to all who turn to Christ.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)
…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. (Philippians 3:9)
Through faith, we receive God’s righteousness and are declared righteous in His sight though in our flesh we are not perfect. We are fully justified by faith in Jesus’ death on the cross—the payment for our sins. We are made righteous in God’s sight by faith in Christ who took our place on the cross. In the realm of spiritual realities, we who are born again are viewed through God’s eyes as blameless and totally righteous in God’s sight. This is absolutely amazing!
It is this spiritual righteousness, God’s righteousness, that we are to seek, hunger, and thirst after. Once received, the Holy Spirit begins transforming our human righteousness (thinking, feelings, and behavior) to reflect God’s righteousness and produce a holy lifestyle.
There is yet another kind of righteousness that is very deceptive, destructive, and deadly. It is called self-righteousness. It rejects God’s assessment that all humanity is unrighteous and in need of repentance and forgiveness of sin. It sees little deficiency in one’s self and often no need for Christ or the righteousness of God except perhaps in some serious emergency situations. Self-righteousness considers others seeking God’s righteousness as weak and stupid people. Self-righteousness blinds the minds of people and keeps them from seeing the need for repentance. It is filled with pride and arrogance.
Without the righteousness of God, we are doomed to eternal damnation and will have no place in the kingdom of God. Remember the words of Jesus:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
How to Turn to God
Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and for the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.
