TOPIC: THE POWER OF RIGHTEOUS LIVING
All we have been teaching are based on life endued by the Holy Spirit.
Righteousness simply means God likeness. It is the character and nature of being like God.
It is the ability to think, talk and act like God in every area of life.
Another name for righteousness is godliness. It is simply doing what is right. Doing the right thing at all times regardless of who is involved or the condition attached to it.
Many Bible scholars have defined righteousness as ‘right standing’ with God. We have been put ‘in right standing with God’ through the work of Jesus Christ at Calvary.
When a person accepts Jesus, he moves into a position of new birth an enters into the kingdom of God as God’s very own child and a joint heir with Jesus – Rom 8:17(NKJV)17 and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
This is the power in knowing the truth about righteousness in Christ.
This is where the power to become the child of God lies
When you believe this, you become the righteousness of God in Christ.
Rom 3:21-22(NLT)21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
It is a by-product of holiness.
To be holy means you have to separate yourself from the world of sin, darkness and the devil by faith in the Lord Jesus.
Job 1:8(KJV)8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
2 Cor 5:21(KJV)21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Mankind does not understand this nor seek to grasp it. It is not until the word of God is opened that such wisdom is gained.
Ps 24:3-5 (KJV)3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive the blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
It is not a matter of feeling righteous, because you are already righteous, but it is a matter of faith in Christ . You become what you believe.
Jesus is God’s gift to the world, so that we can become the righteousness of God in him.
Someone who is in Christ does not practice sin – 1 John 3:9 (TLB)9 The person who has been born into God’s family does not make a practice of sinning because now God’s life is in him; so he can’t keep on sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him-he has been born again.
Healing is a gift you receive by faith and righteousness is a gift you receive by faith. You can lose either if you have no faith in Christ.
If you don’t stand by what you believe and grow in Christ, you may lose the benefits.
Heb 10:38(KJV)38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
Rom 1:17(KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
BENEFITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
Righteousness is such a wonderful spiritual virtue. It guarantees the total well being of a child of God. God promised that it will be well with you, but vowed it will be ill with the wicked.
Isa 3:10(KJV)10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.
v By scriptures, we understand that righteousness does not only promote an individual, it also elevates a nation. It brings promotion in every area of life – Prov 14:34(NIV) Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Righteousness gives you access into God’s divine presence.
Ps 17:15(KJV)15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Walking in righteousness brings peace of mind, peace in your health, peace in your business and peace in your house.
Isa 32:17(NLT)17 And this righteousness will bring peace. Yes, it will bring quietness and confidence forever.
Righteousness is a supernatural defender and protection of the just – Isa 54:17 (NLT)7 But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!
Righteousness provokes the release of God’s anointing upon your life. Every genuine lover of righteousness is a commander of power and anointing.
Ps 45:7(NLT)You love justice and hate evil. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
The righteous shall thrive like a green leaf.
Ps 1:1-6 (KJV)Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Prov 11:28b (KJV)but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
Ps 92:12(KJV)12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
Righteousness delivers from death – Prov 11:4 (KJV) Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
The righteous man is rescued from trouble – Prov 11:8 (KJV) The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.
He who sow righteousness reap a sure reward – Prov 11:18 (KJV)The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.
