The Blessing of Righteousness

God views people as…

righteous - unrighteous

righteous - wicked

 godly - ungodly

believer - unbeliever

child of light - child of darkness

 child of God - child of the devil

 sheep - goat

 saved - unsaved

•   There appears to be no middle ground from God's perspective.

 •   Jesus came so that we could exchange our unrighteousness for His righteousness.

Romans 5:19 [TPT], One man’s disobedience opened the door for all humanity to become sinners.  So also one man’s obedience opened the door for many to be made perfectly right with God and acceptable to him.

Romans 3:28 [TPT], So our conclusion is this: God’s wonderful declaration that we are righteous in his eyes can only come when we put our faith in Christ…

This gift of righteousness means we are…

1.  Accepted by God

2.  Declared not guilty

3.  Forgiven & released from the punishment of sin

4.  Set free from the bondage/power of sin

5.  Placed into covenant

6.  Made righteous

“The moment we put our trust and faith in the finished work of Jesus...we were not only placed in right standing before the Father, but we were also positioned to live under the blessing of righteousness."

Psalm 58:11 [AMP], Men will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous…”

How does God reward the righteous?  By His blessings.

•   The Biblical word for bless suggests an individual is “happy, prosperous, successful, content, fortunate, to be envied, a condition in which congratulations are in order.”  The word bless is a grace word that expresses the special joys and satisfaction granted to the person who has experienced salvation.

3 John 1:2 [AMP], Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. 

1.  Watching over them

 Psalm 34:15 [NLT], The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.

 Isaiah 54:17 [NLT], But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed.  You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.  These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. 

2.  Favor

 Psalm 5:12 [NIV], Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

3.  Provision

 Psalm 37:25 [NKJV], I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his descendants begging bread.

Psalm 55:22 [NKJV], Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. 

4.  Directing their steps

 Psalm 37:23 [AMP], The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the Lord, and He delights in his way [and blesses his path].

5.  Hearing their prayers

 Proverbs 15:29 [NLT], The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.

 James 5:16 [MSG], The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with. [powerful and effective]

6.  Joy

 Psalm 32:11 [AMP], Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous [who actively seek right standing with Him]; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

“To choose a life with God is to choose a blessed life.  It is always God’s will to bless us because He loves us, but if we think His blessings are entirely for us to enjoy…we are missing the point.”

Genesis 12:2, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.”