...He leads me in the
paths of righteousness for His name's sake. – Ps 23:3
Greetings Beloved, and welcome to our continuing
meditations on the most-loved “Shepherd Psalm”.
The principle of righteousness is often
conflated by many, even in the body of Christ today; and this can be dangerous
for those who do not understand it.
Speaking of the Jews in Rom 10:3, Apostle Paul explains
that “Because they disregarded the righteousness
from God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not
submitted to God's righteousness.” (HCSB-r)
This tells us that there’re two types of
righteousness – God’s righteousness and man’s. The latter takes on many forms
depending on the religion or organisation.
Whereas Man’s definition of righteousness is
moral rectitude and uprightness, the Bible’s (i.e. God’s) definition of
righteousness is right-standing with God. Whereas Man’s righteousness is based
on things people do or not do, God’s righteousness is based on what a person is
in relation to Him.
There’s no such thing as “moral rectitude” with
respect to God. All of our acts of righteousness are as filthy rags before Him.
Because “all have sinned”, there’s nothing we can claim to do that’ll qualify
us to stand before the One who is of a purer eyes than to behold iniquity. (Is
64:6; Rom 3:23; Hab 1:13).
This is why Biblical righteousness is not right-doing but God’s doing. God’s righteous is imputed as a result of faith in
Christ, and not attained by a checklist of moral deeds.
People in the church who do not know this
distinction, can live moral, commendable lives, yet still be headed for
condemnation.
Beloved, we are called to seek first the
kingdom of God and HIS righteousness
(Mt 6:33), not ours. The world’s religions, cultures and traditions may try
fruitlessly to attain God’s standard of righteousness; but we who are His sheep have the assurance from Ps 23:3 that He’ll
lead us in the path of (His) righteousness. Not for our sake, but “for His name's sake”.
HALLELUJAH!!!
More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.
GREG ELKAN
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