Righteousness

June 24–Proverbs 11-13

“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness”(11:4-5).

Solomon was a wise man. Supernaturally so. One of the things he knew for certain is that righteousness is an active agent! It powerfully impacts life. It leads to life and blessing. Wickedness, in the same way, leads to death and disfavor. Friend, do you believe this truth?

Scripture holds fast to the certainty and priority of righteousness. The teaching of grace (salvation is a free gift by grace through faith) must never weaken our conviction that it is possible and profitable to walk in righteousness. Noah. Job. Joseph. The Scripture describes them as blameless and blessed. God’s requirement of righteousness never goes away.

The universe is essentially moral! Heaven is (and earth will be) holy! God’s commandments do not describe the universe as He wishes it to be. They describe the universe as it is–at its core!

Righteousness, therefore, is the only thing that works, or ever will! The coming judgement (all men resurrected to either reward or punishment) will only certify this nonnegotiable truth.

Early in my Christian life, I learned Psalm 1. People who delight in God’s law are BLESSED. People who resist His law are unstable and vulnerable. Righteousness is the only path that leads to life, the only truly wise investment.

Friend, do you believe that God is righteous and that He rewards righteousness?

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).