THE Practice of Righteousness

UV 3314/10000 The Practice of Righteousness
Little children (believers, dear ones, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who practices righteousness ( the one who strives to live a consistently honourable life- in private as well as in public- and to conform to God’s precepts is righteous, just as He is righteous.

I John 3 v 7


God is absolutely righteous and His Son Jesus manifested the same righteousness on Earth during His sojourn here. We who believe Him ought also to practice righteousness earnestly, rigorously and consistently. We honour God when we live according to His law or His precepts and principles. To live according to biblical principles taught and practiced by Jesus is the way to live a life worthy of Him. He is the perfect model of our faith and we will do well to imitate Him in all aspects of our lives.

When we habitually obey a principle, it becomes in due course our nature. To follow or obey a principle is not easy as it involves a personal cost that we need to pay. But the Lord offers us support, grace and the power to practice the principles. He strengthens our inner spirit and gives us the courage and verve to hold onto the principles that are often in contrast to the values espoused by worldly people. He gives us His precious promises that supply what we need in order to obey the Word. He also gives us the Holy Spirit to encourage, edify, enable us to practice righteousness.

When we practice righteousness, we declare to the enemy and to the world that we belong to the Lord, that we are a peculiar people with peculiar values. Very often the forces opposed to us become more aggressive and hostile towards us on account of our beliefs and principles. But Jesus exhorts us to be strong and courageous as He has overcome and we too will overcome the world. The practice of righteousness will prove that we belong to the Lord, that we give priority to doing His will. We are no longer mere hearers but doers. We are not like the foolish man who ignores the foundation of rock that is Jesus and builds on sand. We are not like the man who takes a good look every day in the mirror and forgets what he looks like. We are conscious of our weaknesses, threats and potential in Christ and take practical steps to overcome the former and realize the latter.