In the previous lessons, we learned that the moment I was saved, I became a child of God, I was justified - declared righteous, and I should live a life worthy of Christ now that I am justified. Today, we continue to learn about the kind of life I should live, because I am justified.
Let's see these passages again.
1 John 2:29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
1 John 3:7. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
1 John 3:10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
Do you desire to live a righteous life and obey God's Word? If you don't have a desire for this, then how can you claim to be saved? (I'm saved, but I have no desire to please the Lord and I don't care about obeying Him. I'll live my own life the way I want). Don't be deceived. A righteous man is known by his righteous life. He is so thankful for what Christ has done for him that it shows in his living.
In Romans 6:13, the believer is commanded to yield (to present) his bodily members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God).
- Therefore, should we be careful what our hands do? Yes.
- Is it a righteous thing to hold a cigarette? No.
- Should we be careful how we use our tongue? Yes. The answer is in Ephesians 4:29 (Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers).
- Should we be careful what we let our eyes see? (filthy books, magazines, many if not most television shows, movies, etc.)? Yes.
Let's confirm our answer by seeing what Paul said in Romans.
Romans 6:16-18. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
- We were once servants (slaves) of sin, but when we obey the Word of God, what do we now serve? We become servants (slaves) of righteousness
- Would you rather be a slave of sin or a slave of righteousness? Certainly, of righteousness.
Let's see Paul's letters to Timothy.
1 Timothy 6:11. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
1 Timothy 2:22. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
- What is the first thing that Paul tells Timothy to follow after? The answer is: righteousness. The word translated follow after means to run after, to pursue, to chase, as a hunter would chase after his prey or as a runner would run to the finsh line to receive a prize. See Philippians 3:14 (I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus), where the same word is translated press. Are you earnestly and zealously running after the virtues listed in the verses in Timothy? (righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness)?
- According to 1 Peter 2:24, because of what Christ did for us on the cross, how should we now live as believers? we should live unto righteousness. Let's cross-check our answer. (1 Peter 2:24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed).
2 Timothy 3:16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
-
Where can we go to find instruction for living a righteous life that is well-pleasing to Christ? Scripture
-
As we live a righteous life, what kind of treatment should we expect to receive from others? Let's see the Scriptures for the answer.
Matthew 5:10-12. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
1 Peter 3:14. But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
It is clear that others will not be accepting of our righteous living. They will actually persecute us.
John 15:18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
- When the righteous Christ came to this earth, did the world love Him? No
John 15:19-21. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me
- If we belong to Christ, will the world treat us the same way they treated Him? Yes.
- According to 1 John 3:13, should we be surprised if the unsaved world does not love us? No. (Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you).
Review Question
What does the word justify mean? See if you recall.
Note
Justification does not mean that God makes a sinner righteous. If this were true, then we would never sin again. A justified person is still a sinner (a sinner saved by grace). The difference is that God sees him perfectly in Christ. Dressed in Christ's righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne.
Member discussion: