Righteousness is a big word in the Bible and it’s used hundreds of times. But what does it mean? I looked it up in a theological dictionary and it went on for 27 pages. To boil it down, it means a relationship and a lifestyle. Righteousness simply means being right with God. Romans 1:17 says, “The Good News shows how God makes people right with Himself.”
God is righteous and loves righteousness in us. Psalm 23:3 talks about how God leads us “in paths of righteousness.” It is up to us to follow. The Good News is that God made us right with Himself through Jesus’ death for our sins. Because of Jesus’ death, we can have a personal relationship with God.
But righteousness is also a lifestyle. It means choosing to live right as God intends. If we’re disconnected from God, then we’re not really living; we’re just existing. Too many people aren’t really fully alive. Too many are just trying to make it to the weekend. When we’re disconnected from our Creator who made us for a purpose, then life is just nonsense. Life is more than the acquisition of things or the achievement of goals. Life is about getting to know God who loves us and wants so much for us.
But we have a choice to have a right relationship with Him and a lifestyle of living for His purpose. He’s not going to force us. We can choose to be disconnected from God on earth and when our life is done, it’s done, or we can choose to live right with Him for now and for eternity.
In Christ,
Rev. David Edgar
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