it’s your choice
What does it mean to be righteous? It sounds so sophisticated. To be righteous means behavior that is morally justifiable or right. So if we go by this definition, it still leaves room for misinterpretation of what it means to be righteous. There’s still room for misinterpretation because so often we are measuring our actions with the wrong tool. The Bible is where we should be looking to determine what actions are considered righteous. God laid it out plainly for us. The laws God has given us through the description of His character constitute the way in which He measures human righteousness.
Righteousness is often contradicted with wickedness. They are polar opposites. Someone who is considered wicked is someone whose actions are derived from self-centeredness. Someone who is righteous is someone whose actions are God-centered. Romans 6:16b says “...you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” So who are you obeying? Your own, fleshly desires, or the desires of the Lord?
The bad news is that, as imperfect humans, we will never be able to perfectly obey the desires of the Lord all the time. BUT! Righteousness is possible through the power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. The death of Jesus Christ made this possible. Romans 5:19 draws a beautiful illustration of this sacrifice made for mankind. It says “For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.” Jesus was a substitute for the sinner. For you and me.
WOW. WOW. WOW! Through Adam and Eve’s sin, we were made sinners, but through Jesus’ obedience to his father, we were made righteous. Later in Romans 5:20 Paul writes, “...where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” What a gracious God we serve!!!
It’s so important to not view our relationship with the Lord as one that is solely governed by rules. Your relationship with God should not be viewed as “If I obey or do or follow this law, then I will be saved.” No, no. He’s already done that, it becomes a choice you make in your heart to invite him in. To say “Lord, I invite you in. I am choosing to follow you.” Yes, He has laid out rules for us to follow, but he’s given us the free will to choose to follow them or not. But once our heart posture lines up with His, it becomes a JOY and PLEASURE to follow Him.
Because of the sacrifice God made and the obedience of Jesus Christ, we are treated as though we have entirely fulfilled the law of God and have never become exposed to its penalty. Speaking personally here, that is just not true. I’d love to say I’ve never sinned, but I’m human and so are you. But the God of the universe is so gracious that He has given us the precious gift of His mercy and Grace. That through him, we can become righteous.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life and Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23
*If you have any questions about what it means to be saved and that is something you want, contact me!! It would seriously be my honor to chat with you! It’s the best decision you could ever make!!! ;-))
