Righteousness
-to do right or be “in the right”
“Hearken unto me ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them like wool, but my righteousness shall be forever, and my salvation from generation to generation.”
Isaiah 51:7-8
Achieving Righteousness
Easier Said Than Done
If you look closely at the diagram above, the idea of righteousness is quite complex when you break it down. I use the breastplate image because in Ephesians 6:17, righteousness is to be worn as armor.
This armor is extremely important because it’s what protects the vital organs. Attention to righteousness can help us to avoid some of the painful obstacles that life brings. The important thing to remember is that we must seek the Father to find righteousness for ourselves.
This is important to remember because we are not all the same. For example: roses and orchids grow much differently and need the care appropriate to their kind. While in general people are a lot alike, right for a police officer and a bartender look a little different. One should be welcoming and the other probably shouldn’t in most cases.
This is one of the reasons that we are told to judge not. The Father’s judgment is according to truth and we’re so small and we’re missing too much information to judge rightly. Be humble!
8 things to consider:
- Right Views
- Right Intent
- Right Speech
- Right Mindfulness
- Right Conduct
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Concentration
Righteousness is freedom!
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”
Isaiah 54:17