Today I am considering the word righteousness. The
Greek word for righteousness is dē-kī-o-sü'-nā.
Vine’s Expository Dictionary of the New Testament Words defines
righteousness this way:
"the character or
quality of being right or just;" it was formerly spelled
"rightwiseness," which clearly expresses the meaning. It is used to denote an attribute of God,
e.g., Romans 3:5, the context of which shows that "the righteousness of
God" means essentially the same as His faithfulness, or truthfulness, that
which is consistent with His own nature and promises.
Romans 3:10-12 (NKJV)
10 As it is written:
“There is none righteous, no, not one;
11 There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God.
12 They have all turned aside;
They have together become unprofitable;
There is none who does good, no, not one.”
(Footnotes: Romans 3:12 Psalms 14:1–3; 53:1–3; Ecclesiastes 7:20)
If we
consider that there is no one who is righteous except for God, then we can recognize
the importance, and the need for Jesus Christ to impute His righteousness to us
that we become the righteousness of God.
We become rightwise in Him.
There is
something amazing about the integrity and fidelity of God’s righteousness, it never
wavers or changes. God is never given
over to the whims or fancies of mankind as man goes about his daily business here on
this earth, God has chosen to see man from a completely different plane or
perspective than we see, God sees man from an eternal perspective.
"We may
‘believe’ in eternity, but to what extent have we actually agreed with the
world that eternity is not relevant until after this life? Eternity is not
merely a time frame that is endless; it is profoundly and foremost a
qualitative thing that is available now. When we begin to see all our moments
set in the context of eternity, we will bring to those moments a seriousness
that we would not otherwise have had." - Art Katz
This is
where the righteousness of God takes on a much weightier understanding, if we
see God’s righteousness from the perspective of eternity as God does, then our thoughts
and actions have a more profound impact not only upon us, but upon our God
ordained destiny and for future generations that come after us.
*"The truth
is that we are being prepared for eternity. God is building character within us
that will last forever. He is most concerned about our character and motives.
The unique trials that each of us face on earth are designed by an eternal God
who sees and knows all. They are not mistakes or happenstance. Of course, we
ourselves make mistakes, but God can turn them all into good.
Romans
8:28 (NKJV)
28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to
those who are the called according to His purpose.
He knows our
advantages and our disadvantages–our family backgrounds, our marriages, our
education, and everything about us, even to the minutest detail. He sees the
good and bad circumstances that we face. We must realize that God sees
everything in the eternal context, but we live in a world that wants everything
now.
The apostle
Paul lived in the powerful reality of the eternal. It was a joyful reality, and
it made a difference in everything he did. He saw beyond the things that he
suffered on earth.
2
Corinthians 4:8-10 (NKJV)
8
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not
in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not
destroyed— 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the
Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
His trials
(shipwreck, stoning, persecution, prison, and so much more) were merely light
and momentary afflictions. Why? Paul had an eternal perspective and saw an
eternal weight of glory that would be his reward. An eternal perspective
changes everything. He said:
2
Corinthians 4:16-18 (NKJV)
16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet
the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things
which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are
seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
If we look
at our life at this moment, how do we see our trials? Are they burdensome,
depressing, overwhelming, worthless, and to be avoided at all cost? Or can we
rise up higher and see the eternal realm? Everything depends on seeing the
unseen and the eternal. Are we living as if we were a citizen of heaven or a
citizen of earth? Are we bringing the eternal dimension into our daily tasks
and the ordinary?
It is
possible to live as if everything is charged with eternity. We as believers
have the calling to bring eternity into time, of bringing the reality of heaven
down to earth. God wants us to lay up our treasures in heaven and live in the
joy of being rewarded for everything we do for Jesus’ sake. Even giving a cold
glass of water will not lose its reward when we do it in Christ Jesus.
If we live
as the world lives by seeking to find fulfillment now, then how are we
different than those who do not know Christ? We are living like mere men who
have not tasted of heaven and are blinded by the alluring traps of the enemy.
We are trying to make the emptiness of this life our home. The whole world lies
in massive deception. Many of us keep rearranging the furniture in our earthly
life (endless buying, multiple divorces, countless addictions) without ever
finding true fulfillment and joy. It just can’t be found without Jesus.
The Bible
says that we are strangers (like Abraham)
while we are on earth and are looking for a city whose maker and builder is
God.
Hebrews
11:9-10 (NKJV)
9
By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in
tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10
for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is
God.
It is time
to live up to our true heavenly calling. True joy is found only in living for
heaven, where the glitter of this world has lost its glamour and power. An
eternal perspective changes everything. There is an unbelievable purity and
simplicity in knowing Christ that is far greater than anything this world
offers. But we can so easily be led astray.
2
Corinthians 11:3 (NKJV)
3
But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so
your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity[a] that is in Christ.
As believers
we must understand this message about the eternal. The urgency around us
screams for our attention. We can no longer say that what is coming on the
world is just a bad dream. This is the hour where the Lord is asking us to rise
up to our true calling. He wants us to shake off the lies and be all that He
intended for us to be at this hour. He wants us to set our minds and hearts on
things above. Only then can He truly use us to the fullest extent for His
glory. With an eternal perspective:
We can be truly joyful even when all
around us is falling apart.
We can rise up with a new perspective
that will make the lost world take notice.
Our life can burn with eternity and
purpose.
This is an
invitation for all of us to come into a new dimension of being. We need to
evaluate all of our earthly activities from an eternal perspective. It’s time
to live for heaven and narrow down our life to what will be eternally of value.
Joy is found not in half-hearted commitment, but when we go all the way for
God. It is time to evaluate everything we do in light of the judgment seat of Christ at
the end of the age.
It’s time
for us to change our perspective and seek that which is above. It’s time that
we live in the light of eternity and the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Every time
we bless another, every time we don’t complain, every time we turn another
cheek and stop our tongue from speaking evil, we are laying up our treasures in
heaven and will be rewarded. God is conforming us into His image, and we will
not be disappointed. Let’s see our eternal reward in every act of kindness and
in every sacrifice we make, large or small. Everything on earth is preparation
for the age to come. We have an eternal destiny. Let’s learn to live a joyful
life in light of this reality."*
Colossians
3:1-4 (NKJV)
1If
then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where
Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on
things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your
life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life
appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Stephen
Barnett
God is good
all the time—all
the time God is good!
Eternity
Words and Music by: Brian Doerksen
I will be yours
You will be mine
Together in eternity
Out hearts of love
Will be entwined
Together in eternity
Forever in eternity
No more tears of pain
In our eyes
No more fear or shame
For we will be with you
Yes, we will be with you
Copyright © 1994 Mercy/Vineyard
Publishing. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
The lyrics above are presented here for educational purposes only and not for profit.
*Portions taken from a Crosswalk.com
article dated Jan 7, 2015 entitled “An
Eternal Perspective Changes Everything” by Debbie Przybylski International House of Prayer (KC) Staff
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