Seek and Put On
Righteousness is something which God gives us and expects us to develop.
Matthew tells us to, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (6:33).
Paul in Ephesians tells us to, “put on the breastplate of Righteousness. (Ephesians 6:14).
What is Righteousness?
The word “righteousness” is translated from dikaiosune and is defined as “the character or quality of being right or just; it was formerly spelled `rightwiseness,’ which clearly expresses the meaning. Righteousness embraces the idea of the right knowledge in the mind, leading to the right action in life” (W.F. Vine). We can know what is right, know what we ought to be and do, only as God reveals it to us in His inspired Word. Paul, in Rom. 1:16-17 teaches us that God’s plan for making us righteous is revealed in the Gospel.
God's Spirit will show us the areas of our lives that we need to change so we can live out the righteousness of Jesus. Click To Tweet
The Breastplate of Righteousness Video
This past week, I came across the following video, in which Priscilla Shirer shares and interesting way to view the breastplate.
I really enjoyed her usage of the boat.. God is asking you and I to give Him our upside down living (sinfulness) and let Him infuse us with His upside right living (Christ’s holy, righteous character).
After seeing the video, I felt moved to create the following 4 graphics.
4 Graphics
An Overview of What Righteousness Leads to:
Some of The Sins We Need to Have Removed From Our Lives:
How Can We Have Righteousness and Be Freed From Sin?:
Decision Time: Say yes to Jesus, and Let the Holy Spirit Change You
More Scriptures to Ponder
1 Timothy 6:11 – But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
Proverbs 21:2 – A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Psalm 112:6 – Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever.
Psalm 34:15 – The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.
Proverbs 11:18 – A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Let's guard our hearts, for our of it flows the way we will live our lives. Click To Tweet
Conclusion
Why should we want to pursue the righteousness of Christ?
Because God is very concerned with our hearts, and how we live. Proverbs 4:23 tells us, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”
God also makes sure that we know what righteousness and unrighteousness lead to: Proverb’s 10:16 – “The wages of the righteous is life, the income of the wicked is punishment”.
And lastly, God let’s us know exactly what His Kingdom will exist of: Romans 14:7 – “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6).
As always God lets you and I make our own decision.
HOW WILL YOU TRUST THE HOLY SPIRIT TODAY TO LIVE OUT JESUS’ RIGHTEOUSNESS IN YOUR LIFE?
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