Introduction
As Christians, our ultimate goal is to pursue righteousness, which means living in accordance with God’s will and standards. However, it can be challenging to know how to pursue righteousness, especially in a world that often goes against God’s ways.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to pursue righteousness through faith, using the Bible as our guide.
Understanding Righteousness
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Before we dive into how to pursue righteousness through faith, it’s essential to understand what righteousness means. According to the NKJV version of the Bible, righteousness means “the quality of being morally right or justifiable” (Psalm 119:172). It is not something that we can achieve on our own but rather something that is a gift from God.
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, He covers us with His righteousness, and we are made right with God. This is called justification, which is a legal term that means we are declared righteous before God (Romans 3:22). However, while we are justified through faith in Christ, we are also called to pursue righteousness in our daily lives (1 Timothy 6:11).
Pursuing Righteousness Through Faith
Now that we understand what righteousness means let’s look at how we can pursue it through faith.
1. Seek God First
In Matthew 6:33, Jesus says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” This verse reminds us that seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness should be our top priority.
We pursue righteousness by seeking God first, through prayer, studying the Bible, and worship. When we seek God first, He will lead us in the paths of righteousness (Psalm 23:3).
2. Obey God’s Word
In James 1:22, we are reminded that we should not only hear the word of God but also do what it says. Obedience to God’s word is an essential aspect of pursuing righteousness.
As we read and study the Bible, we must apply what we learn to our lives. This means following God’s commands and living according to His standards, even when it goes against the ways of the world.
3. Walk in the Spirit
In Galatians 5:16, we are told to “walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” Walking in the Spirit means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us in our daily lives.
As we walk in the Spirit, we will produce the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Pursuing righteousness means cultivating these qualities in our lives.
4. Repent and Confess Sin
In 1 John 1:9, we are reminded that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Pursuing righteousness means acknowledging our sin and turning away from it. When we confess our sins and ask for forgiveness, God forgives us, and we are made right with Him. This is why repentance is a crucial aspect of pursuing righteousness.
5. Walk in Love
In 1 Corinthians 13:13, we are told that the greatest of these is love. Pursuing righteousness means walking in love towards God and others.
Jesus says in John 13:35, “By this, all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” Walking in love means putting the needs of others before our own, forgiving those who have wronged us, and showing kindness and compassion to everyone we meet.
6. Keep a Clear Conscience
In 1 Timothy 1:19, Paul tells Timothy to “keep faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” Keeping a clear conscience means being honest with ourselves and with God.
If we know that we have sinned or acted in a way that goes against God’s will, we must confess it and seek forgiveness. By keeping a clear conscience, we can pursue righteousness without the burden of guilt and shame weighing us down.
7. Persevere in Faith
Finally, pursuing righteousness requires perseverance in faith. We must continue to seek God, obey His word, walk in the Spirit, repent and confess sin, walk in love, and keep a clear conscience, even when it is difficult.
In Hebrews 12:1-2, we are encouraged to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Perseverance means not giving up when we face challenges or obstacles but continuing to trust in God and follow His ways.
Conclusion
Pursuing righteousness through faith requires seeking God first, obeying His word, walking in the Spirit, repenting and confessing sin, walking in love, keeping a clear conscience, and persevering in faith. It is not something that we can achieve on our own but rather something that we can only do with God’s help.
As we pursue righteousness, we must remember that it is a lifelong journey, and we will make mistakes along the way. But if we continue to seek God and follow His ways, we will grow in righteousness and become more like Christ.
Let us pray that God will give us the strength, wisdom, and grace to pursue righteousness through faith and that He will guide us every step of the way. May we be a light to the world as we strive to live according to God’s will and standards.
