Are We Righteous?

  1. INTRODUCTION:

    2.
    1. SCRIPTURE READING: Luke 1:5-6= "There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia; and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."
    2. RIGHTEOUS DEFINED:
      1. WEBSTER: "Doing, or according with, that which is right; especially that which is free from wrong or sin."
      2. GREEK: [dikaios (dik'-ah-yos)]; "equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent,
        holy (absolutely or relatively); in the KJV, translated - just, meet, righteous."
      3. HEBREW: [YASHAR]; "In KJV, it is translated – upright, right, righteous, just".
    3. STUDY WITH ME TWO QUESTIONS CONCERNING RIGHTEOUS:
      1. What do the righteous do?
      2. Why do the righteous do these things?

  2. DISCUSSION:

    3.
    1. WHAT DO THE RIGHTEOUS DO?
      1. They receive instructions. Proverbs 9:9 = "Give instruction to a wise man, and he
         will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.        "
      2. They live by faith.

        3. Romans 1:17 = "For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."

        Hebrews 10:38 = "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my
        soul shall have no pleasure in him.        "

      3. They obey fully God’s commandments. Luke 1:6 = "And they were both righteous
        before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord
        blameless.        "
      4. They do right things for the Lord did them. I John 3:7 = "Little children, let no man
        deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.        "

        5. Note: Christ was baptized to "fulfill all righteousness" [Matthew 3:13]

      5. They are ever giving.

        6. Psalms 37:21 = "The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous
        sheweth mercy, and giveth        .        "

        Proverbs 21:25-26 = "The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to
         labour. He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth  not.        "

      6. They speak wisely. Psalms 37:30 = "The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment."
      7. They seek that which offers safety. Proverbs 18:10 = "The name of the LORD is a
        strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.        "
      8. They hate lying. Proverbs 13:5 = "A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame."
      9. They walk in integrity. Proverbs 20:7 = "The just man walketh in his integrity: his
        children are blessed after him.        "

        10. Note: That is, they walk unimpaired; in soundness; and purity

      10. They manifest justice in every judgment. Proverbs 21:15 = "It is joy to the just to do
        judgment        : but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.        "
      11. They care for the poor. Proverbs 29:7 = "The righteous considereth the cause of the
        poor:         but the wicked regardeth not to know it.        "
      12. They manifest and show mercy to others. Psalms 37:21= "The wicked borroweth, and
        payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.        "
      13. They are always giving thanks unto God. Psalms 140:13 = "Surely the righteous shall
        give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence        .        "
      14. They sing with a heart full of joy. Proverbs 29:6 = "In the transgression of an evil man
        there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice.        "
      15. They have a tender loving heart. Proverbs 12:10 = "A righteous man regardeth the life
        of his beast:         but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.        "
    2. WHY DO THEY DO THESE THINGS?
      1. To please God and do His will.

        2. Hebrews 11:6 = "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

        Hebrews 10:36 = "For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise."

      2. To be found blameless before God to receive eternal salvation.

        3. Luke 1:6 = "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the
        commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.        "

        Hebrews 5:9 = "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;"

      3. To be liken unto God. I John 3:7 = "Little children, let no man deceive you: he that
        doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.        "
      4. That their righteousness may continue for ever. 2 Corinthians 9:8-10 = "And God is able
        to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)        "
    1. To shine brightly forever. Daniel 12:3 = "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
    2. So they will not be moved. Psalms 55:22 = "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall
      sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.      "
    3. It brings joy to them. Proverbs 21:15 = "It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
    4. Theirs will be the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 = "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
    5. They are happy.

      6. Psalms 32:11 = "Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart."

      Psalms 33:1 = "Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright."

    6. God is with them.

Proverbs 24:16 = "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."

Psalms 37:25 = "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."

  1. CONCLUSION:

    2.
    1. ARE YOU MANIFESTING RIGHTEOUS ACTS IN YOUR LIFE?
      1. Willing to receive instruction from God.
      2. Living in faithful obedience to the commandments of God.
      3. Are you a giving person?
      4. Do you speak with words of wisdom?
      5. Do you seek the safety of the Lord?
      6. Do you walk in honesty before God?
      7. Do you show caring love and mercy to others?
      8. Do sing with a joyful heart unto the Lord?
    1. IF YOU ARE NOT –
      1. You are not Pleasing to the Lord. [Hebrews 10:36; Hebrews11:6].
      2. You will be found with blame before the Lord. [Luke 1:6].
      3. You will not be found obedient before the Lord. [Luke 1:6]
      4. You will not shine brightly before the Lord. [Daniel 12:3].
      5. You will be moved from His eternal presence. [Psalms 55:22].
      6. You will not be the kingdom of heaven. [Matthew 5:10].
    2. YOU CAN START BEING RIGHTEOUS TODAY -- WHY NOT NOW?

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