Are You Righteous?
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Proverbs 4:18 NASB
Righteous – This Hebrew word (tsedeq), occurring more than 250 times in the Old Testament, carries the connotation of moral conformity to norm or standard. It is used to describe the judgments of the Judges who were to make decisions on the basis of the truth without partiality. It is applied to all kinds of standards, from weights and measures to ethical conduct. But the real emphasis behind this word is its implication that the ultimate test of righteousness is man’s obedience to the ordinances of God.
When men are disobedient, their sin manifests itself in injustice, self-aggrandizement, victimization of others, willful disregard for compassion and corruption. This sad state is true of both individuals and nations. Breaking God’s Torah has far reaching consequences not only disrupting spiritual harmony but also destroying the foundations of personal integrity and societal values.
Today we are faced with one example after another of the decline in moral values. From superstars to Supreme Courts, God’s way of living is being trampled in the rush to have personal freedom. But the history of God’s interaction with men shows that law without righteousness is nothing more than the pendulum of opinion. The question of morality is not the question of who has the most votes. It is the question of who is the real Judge. History shows that no society has survived the decline of moral integrity no matter how powerful and educated it was. Sin has only one goal in mind – destruction.
How can we protest the fraud of corporations, the victimization of racial prejudice, the abuse of sexual promiscuity or the lies of self-serving politics when we repeat the same sins in microcosm? God’s clean up begins at home. He calls us to a standard not based on the vote of the majority or the clamoring of the minority. He asks us to reflect holiness – His holiness. There is no compromise here. This is not a democracy.
God offers us forgiveness and the appropriation of His righteousness when we finally agree that His standards are the only standards worth having. His grace means new living. It is demonstrated by the actions we choose. It is the same for nations. Surrender to God is the only way to moral integrity. Self-rule is no rule at all.
With great remorse, we notice that America has abandoned God. And God has a very keen memory. Ask the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Egyptians and the Israelites. God’s hand is heavy on those who refuse to obey. Pray with me that we will not feel this heavy hand, that we will return to the house of the Lord with repentance and rebuild His standards. The cup of wrath is filling up.
Topical Index: righteous, tsedeq, standard, Torah, Proverbs 4:18
So true. I am in France visiting my daughter’s family. People here that I’m around go about their daily duties without much thought of God. It is a secular community. They seem to be moral, functional and more at peace than those I observe in the States. It looks like the judgement is on the house of YHWH and the secular world is still coasting:
So true indeed. On macro-scale, my country is proud (!) to be a ‘leading’ country in ‘morals’: the first to allow ‘euthanasia’ (since when is death a solution? Our God is the LIVING One), to make same sex marriage lawful, one of the first to allow abortion in the name of personal freedom, and so on. Really something to be ‘proud of’ …… 30.000 children a year not being allowed to ever see the light of day, just because ‘it’ didn’t match our plans: a new house, car or holiday….
But also on micro-scale: how often did I try to force my will on my family members? Did I shut my eyes for the suffering I watch on tv? Did I follow MY track instead of His? How often do I have to admit like David: I have sinned against the Lord and against other people? I truely need repentence, o Lord!
If you don’t mind, I’d like to take this question personally. I would ask the same question again.. “are you righteous?” Not looking here or there, but directly at the man in the mirror and ask him, “Carl”- are your righteous?
Righteousness was one of the very first “Bible” words to pique my interest and to help to ground me in my faith. How many people have no idea what righteousness is or if indeed- it really matters. May I say, (based totally upon the word of G-d- what He has to say about it- “righteousness” is the only thing that matters. It does not matter my sex, my station, my circumstances, my health, my money, my position, my politics, my education.. – none of these things matter- what matters is- what has “weight” is, “am I righteous.”
Righteousness, dear friends, is “right-relatedness.” This spreads righteousness all around this world. Am I rightly-related to YHWH? Am I rightly-related to my wife? to my children? to my neighbors? to my enemies? to those who “oppose” me? Is my heart right with G-d? Right here, right now, sitting in the comfort of this recliner, banging away at this laptop, -is my heart right with G-d? are my motives pure? is my heart clear and clean? Am I out to manipulate mankind (as many try to do..)? Do I have the heart of a servant? Do I (according to the scripture) have the mind of Christ? If the answer to this is yes, -then I am “rightly-related” or righteous. The Ruach HaKodesh is reminding me, right now, of a song. (He does this often!) and I will share this song with you for it is one of our songs of victory in the Messiah.
~ (If) “Your heart is not right with God. Repent…and pray to the LORD.” (Acts 8:21-22) “Ask, and you will receive..”
Have thy affections been nailed to the cross?
Is thy heart right with God?
Dost thou count all things for Jesus but loss?
Is thy heart right with God?
Is thy heart right with God,
Washed in the crimson flood,
Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,
Right in the sight of God?
Hast thou dominion o’er self and o’er sin?
Is thy heart right with God?
Over all evil without and within?
Is thy heart right with God?
Is there no more condemnation for sin?
Is thy heart right with God?
Does Jesus rule in the temple within?
Is thy heart right with God?
Are all thy powers under Jesus’ control?
Is thy heart right with God?
Does He each moment abide in thy soul?
Is thy heart right with God?
Is your heart right with God,
Washed in the crimson flood,
Cleansed and made holy, humble and lowly,
Right in the sight of God?
Friends, we are only righteous through the blood of His cross. We are now “righteous” only because of the cross of Christ. Where is boasting? – There is none. I am today “righteous” because Yeshua shed His precious blood- rich blessings to bestow, and one of those blessings, a wonderful blessing, is “righteousness.” I am righteous, (or rightly-related) because, and only because of,- the blood of His cross, the blood that was shed for me, the blood that was shed for you- at Calvary.
Friends, “it is written”- in the very Book that G-d wrote- “without the shedding of blood is no remission of sin.” There was a Lamb who was slain, and that Lamb was slain for the sins of the world, including mine and including yours. Propitiation, satisfaction, full atonement for sin has been accomplished, “paid in full” by the Son of G-d (and G-d the Son). “Tetalesti”- praise G-d!- paid in full.
How am I rightly-related? How am I (now) righteous? (only) through the blood of His cross. ~ Where then is there room for your boasting? It is for ever shut out. On what principle? On the ground of merit? No, but on the ground of faith. ~ By faith in the precious, holy, sacrificial, cleansing and atoning blood of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus (who is the) Christ. Amen.
~ Can anything good come out of Nazareth?.. “come and see for yourself..” ~ (John 1.46)
I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!
For me it was in the garden
He prayed: “Not My will, but Thine.”
He had no tears for His own griefs,
But sweat drops of blood for mine.
In pity angels beheld Him,
And came from the world of light
To comfort Him in the sorrows
He bore for my soul that night.
He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!
good morning carl, i do understand what you are saying & professing & believing as we all should about the precious blood of JESUS & how it was spilled for our salvation but unless you believe once saved always saved – people can become very unrighteous & trample on the blood so as to “try” or indicate they are crucifying our SAVIOR all over again. doesn’t the Scriptures speak of such. the blood is the true ONE & ONLY atonement for our sins – but it can wiped away (i believe) by our unrighteousness.
HEBREWS 10:29 http://bible.cc/hebrews/10-29.htm
King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Of how much worse punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, with which he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and has done insult unto the Spirit of grace?
Barnes’ Notes on the Bible:
How dangerous then is every step which would lead to such a precipice! And how strange and unscriptural the opinion held by so many that sincere Christians may “fall away” and be renewed, again and again!
(See the supplementary note on Hebrews 6:6. where certain principles are laid down, for the interpretation of this and similar passages, in consistency with the doctrine of the saints’ perseverance. If that doctrine be maintained, and our author’s view of the passage at the same be correct, then plainly it contains an impossible case. It is descriptive of real Christians, yet they never can fall away. The utility of the warning, in this case, may indeed successfully be vindicated, on the ground that it is the means of preventing apostasy in the saints, the means by which the decree of God in reference to their stability is effected. Most, however, will incline to the view which regards this case, as something more than imaginary, as possible, as real. The warning is addressed to professors generally, without any attempt of distinguishing or separating into true or false. Doubtless there might be some even of the latter class in the churches whose members the apostles, presuming on their professed character, addressed as “saints, “elect,” and “faithful,” without distinction.
Of course, in consistency with the doctrine of perseverance only the “false,” in whom the “root of the matter” had never existed, could apostatize; yet at the same time, when no distinction was made, when the apostle made none, but addressed all in the language of charity, when Christians themselves might find it difficult at all times to affirm decidedly on their own case, universal vigilance was secured, or at all events designed. But is not the party whose apostasy is here supposed, described by two attributes which belong to none but genuine Christians, namely, the “reception of the knowledge of the truth,” and “sanctification through the blood of the covenant?” The answer which has been given to this question is generally, that neither of these things necessarily involves more than external dedication to God. The first is parallel to the “once enlightened” of Hebrews 6:4, and of course admits of the same explanation; see supplementary note there.
The second thing, namely, the sanctification of the party “is not real or internal sanctification, and all the disputes concerning the total and final apostasy from the faith of them who have been really and internally sanctified from this place, are altogether vain. As at the giving of the Law, the people being sprinkled with blood, were sanctified or dedicated to God in a special manner, so those who, by baptism and confession of faith in the church of Christ, were separated from all others were especially dedicated to God thereby.” – “Owen.” Yet, this eminent writer is rather disposed to adopt the opinion of those who construe, ἐν ᾡ ἡγιασθη en hō hēgiasthē with the immediate antecedent, τον Υἱον του Θεου ton Huion tou Theou, thus referring the sanctification to Christ, and not to the apostate; see John 17:19. Whichever of these views we receive, the great doctrine of perseverance is, of course, unaffected. In reference to an objection which the author has urged that “the sentiment (in the Hebrews 10:26 and Hebrews 10:27 verses) would not be correct, if it referred to any but true Christians,” let it be noticed that while many may be saved, who have long resisted the Spirit, yet the assertion must appear hazardous in the extreme, that any can be saved, who do all that the apostate in this passage is alleged to do. The sin described seems to be that of a determined, insulting, final rejection of the only remedy for sin.)
WE HAVE AN APOSTATE CHURCH RIGHT NOW IN THE MIDST OF TRUTH, THE WAY & THE LIFE…
THE ABOVE ARE JUST A FEW PARAGRAPHS TAKEN FROM THE LINK – YOU CAN READ IT ALL IF INTERESTED…
Skip, i want to thank you for this one – a finer article i have not read in a long time – that touched the TRUTH within my heart. yes, all your articles are fine, good, revelatory, etc. – that is why i don’t tell you how great & wonderful you are every day but when one of your writings really hits home with me – i take notice & tell you.
yes, you are appreciated more than you realize from lots of us – some of us just don’t take the time to flatter you like the rest – so please forgive those of us who remain silent but forever grateful.
ms. jan
Yes, sister Jan- I do believe in “once saved always saved.” This (to me) is the equivalent of “once born always born.”
I have a daughter and a son that were “once upon a time” born into the family. I (as a father) love them both dearly. I receive both of them as gifts from Above.
These two will always be my children. They cannot (no matter their behavior) become “unborn.” So it is in the unseen world, for this “seen” world, paralllels and pictures the unseen.
Have either of these two ever grieved their father? (me?). Yes, multiple times, and yet I they never have wavered in their relationship- only in our fellowship. When all is well within the family- we are (all) -rightly-related or righteous. Mom loves dad, dad loves mom and the kids love us and each other. We have one big happy family. But let one member sin and all members suffer. Dad is out of line, mom is operating outside of the will of G-d, the kids are wandering and experimenting with things they should not had ought to be associated with. We are (all) called to holy (separate) living.) Living according to the will of G-d as described and defined within the words of G-d. Living by the Book, His book of instructions for “right-living,” right-thinking and right-behavior.
So it is with me and my Father. When my heart is rightly- related to Him (nothing between my soul and the Savior) – all is right with the world (His world) and my heart “condemns me not, but rather rejoices in G-d my Savior, Redeemer, Comforter and Eternal Mediator and Everlasting Friend. If (and this is a conditional “if”) I am seeking first the kingdom of G-d and His Sovereign rule and reign in my life, placing Him, not as prominent but as Preeminent – first in all things, at all times and in all places- there is shalom or His peace that passes all understanding.
The question to ask ourselves is whether or not we are (right-here, right-now) “in Christ?” Are we (this very moment) abiding in the Vine? – If not, -why not? What is preventing this from being a glorious reality? Nothing but my choice- not to do so, and dear sister, this is not the choice I am (consciously) making. I choose Him. I gladly, freely, willingly, knowingly choose Him to be “both” my LORD and my Savior, from this day and forever.
Now, I will as this question of all who read these words- and would love to hear what your answers may be.. – Is “eternal life” a quantity or a quality? And also..- when does “eternal life” begin? When we die? – or right here,- and right now? John 10.10 might provide us with some answers, but please dear ones- do not live below your privileges!
It is written: ~ Beloved, now (now?) we are children of G-d, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is ~ (1 John 3.2)
Do you (Carl) or do you not- belong to the Shepherd? Are you able to say it, know it , shout it, show it- “I am His and He is mine? then we may also.. “rejoice evermore!” (1 Thessalonians 5.16) Oh, with such a happy (blessed) amen!
“the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn”
Hmmm
My favorite Tarantino script is from True Romance, but the following scene from Pulp Fiction, spoken ironically by the “hit man” played by Samual Jackson, is pretty good too:
Jules: There’s a passage I got memorized. Ezekiel 25:17.
“The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men.
Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of the darkness, for he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children.
And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy My brothers.
And you will know I am the Lord when I lay My vengeance upon you.”
“His standards are the only standards worth having”
This post is, indeed, very powerful. Thank you, Skip.
Yes, we are redeemed by the precious blood of Yeshua, our Messiah. I do not think anyone is debating that here. We are not brought to Him and made part of His family so that we can continue to live as we did when we walked in darkness. That is abundantly clear from the scriptures. If we love Him we will obey and there should be no debate. There is complete harmony between grace and obedience/walking in righteousness. They go hand in hand. He set us free so we can do just that.
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom 6:1-2)
“Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” (Rom 6:13)
“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”(Rom 6:16)
“I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.” (Rom 6:19)( I only copied some of this great chapter but reading it all is of great benefit.)
The story is not that He shed His precious blood and set us free from sin and death and that is the end of it. The rest of the story is that His purpose is that we walk in righteousness because that is what He has set us free to do. They are not antitheses of each other, but totally complement each other. He expects it of us and we are amiss if we do not teach that but just stop at the grace part.