The Pursuit of Righteousness
The "gift of righteousness" is where God exchanged our unrighteousness with His righteousness to bring us into right standing with Himself.
Isaiah 61:10 [NKJV], I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness…
The "blessing of righteousness" is God's way of positioning us to live under His blessings.
Romans 4:6 [NASB], David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom God credits righteousness…
God blesses the righteous by…
1. Watching over them
2. Favor
3. Provision
4. Directing their steps
5. Hearing their prayers
6. Joy
"God doesn’t just bless US to bless US. He blesses us so we can be a blessing to others. Therefore, when we choose bless others we become an extension of His heart to those around us."
The Gift of Righteousness
Matthew 5:6 [NKJV], Blessed are those who hunger and thirst [eagerly long and seek] for righteousness, for they shall be filled [satisfied].
Deuteronomy 30:19 [NLT], “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”
"To God our choices are revealed by our lifestyle not our words."
1 John 3:10 [ESV], By this it is evident who are the Children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
1 Timothy 6:11 [NLT], But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things [youthful desires]. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
Matthew 6:33 [AMP], But first and more importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
“The pursuit of righteousness is all about a person choosing to live a consistent righteous lifestyle before the Lord.”
Jesus' interpretation of the standard of righteousness
Matthew 5:1-11 [AMP], When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His disciples came to Him. 2 Then He began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. 4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].
5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied. 7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. 9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. 10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever]. 11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. 12 Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Notice: The release of God's blessing is determined by our actions.
Expressions of Righteous Living:
1. Humility [poor in spirit]
spiritually prosperous
happy
to be admired
2. Repentance [mourn]
forgiven
refreshed by God's grace
burden of sin will be lifted
Luke 18:9-14 [ESV], He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
3. Kindness [meek]
inwardly peaceful
spiritually secure
worthy of respect
4. Mercy [merciful]
content
sheltered by God's promises
receive mercy
5. Integrity [pure in heart]
anticipating God's presence
spiritually mature
6. Peace [peacemakers]
spiritually calm with life-joy in God's favor
express His character
called sons/daughters of God
7. Endurance [persecuted]
comforted by inner peace and God's love
theirs is the kingdom
spiritually alive with life-joy in God's goodness
inexhaustible reward
Jesus defined "righteous living" by a believer choosing to walk in humility, having a heart of repentance, being kind-hearted, merciful, full of integrity, peaceful and a willingness to endure hardship.
Matthew 5:6 [AMP], “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
