In past weeks, we spoke about joy in the Holy Spirit. This is a type of joy that is supernatural and has the ability to fill our lives in the middle of suffering irrespective of the circumstances. We also spoke about the supernatural peace of God, which fills our heart in the face of turmoil and chaos in our circumstances.
Today, we are going to talk about the Righteousness of God. It is not one that comes with observance, but by a relationship with God.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17)
Paul writes this to the Romans, because he wants to correct their way of thinking. Righteousness does not come by observing a set of rules about eating and drinking or any other thing. It is experiencing the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.
The book of the Law contained so many commands to obey. But the Law was not given to make sure that if anyone followed those commands, they would be holy or more righteous. In fact the Law was given so that we could understand we could never be righteous by performing works of righteousness. Our righteous deeds are like “filthy rags” before God as Isaiah 64:6 states.
The foundation of God’s throne is righteousness and justice (Psa 89:14).
It is in God’s nature that everything He does is right. For us, righteousness is being right with God.
The Bible says, "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20 NASB).
About 40% ofJesus’ teaching was focused on the Kingdom of God. Yet, I have wondered that I couldn’t accurately define what the Kingdom of God signified after many years as a Christian. We must deeply consider what it means to be part of God's kingdom, as this was a central focus of Jesus' ministry. Seeking God's Kingdom and Righteousness.
Jesus instructed us to "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33). This means making God's kingship over our lives the top priority, allowing Him to be Lord over every area.
Jesus told us to “pray that His Kingdom will come and His will be done” when He taught the disciples to pray. (Matt 6:10)
Jesus also told His disciples to preach the Kingdom of God, teaching new believers to do all things that He commanded us. (Matt 28:19-20)
As we can see, Jesus encouraged us to seek first, pray for, and preach the Kingdom of God. The message of the Kingdom of God is simple to understand, but the requirement is clear.At the center of the message of the Kingdom, is that it should be the center of our lives. That’s why some people who heard Jesus and thought it was too hard.
The key part of the message is that God should be the King of our lives and He must have supreme authority, like the kings of old. Wherever you are, you must live under the Kingship of God. If there are things in your life that prevent you from submitting to God’s Kingdom fully, then you should leave that and seek Him more.
The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew chapters 5-7 outlines the kingdom living.
Jesus said, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:20.
Jesus says that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the pharisees. Their righteousness was based on works and the law, and true righteousness is by faith. “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Heb 11:6.
But Jesus did not lower the standards of righteousness for believers by abolishing the law and allowing them to break the law. What He did is to take away the focus from the external to the internal. From actions alone to attitude also.
This, wonderfully, is something that was revealed in the Old Testament saints also. Abraham believed in God and it was credited to Him as righteousness. In fact, even though Romans and Galatians focuses on Abraham’s faith, we read that even for Enoch and Noah, they were commended as righteous, by faith.
“By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous” Heb 11:4
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.” Heb 11:7
Finally, God wants us to not only be righteous by faith, but He also that we will grow in this righteousness that is revealed from faith to faith.
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”. Rom 1:16-17
Finally, you grow in faith by hearing the word of God.
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Rom 10:17
So immerse yourself with the word of God so that God can fill you with faith that leads to righteousness.
In these days, let us seek to grow in the righteousness of God. May God establish us in His Kingdom through an outpouring of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.