Have you ever wondered if you were righteous or even what the meaning of the word was? Maybe you thought that the Pope or Billy Graham or some other well known spiritual leader was righteous but surely not me. You may even thought that it must take a lot of good deeds or a lot of time in fasting and prayer or maybe making a pilgrimage to some holy sight in order to become “righteous”.

Well here are a couple of definitions of the word, righteous : Acting according to divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin. (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary) Being in right standing with God (Amplified Bible).

For a greater insight to the word let’s go to the book of Romans. Rom.4:13 - For the promise that he should be the heir of the world was not to Abraham, or his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Then God, speaking to Abraham about producing an heir at the age of 100, said according to Rom. 4:20-22 - (20) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; (21) And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. (22) And therefore it was imputed (credited) to him as righteousness. So, you see, it is not by works or good deeds but by simply believing what God says that produces righteousness.

Then Rom. 10:6-8 says, (6) But the righteousness which is of faith [there are two kinds of righteousness; 1) Self-righteousness, which is of arrogance and pride, and 2) Righteousness which is of faith] speaketh on this wise (or this way): Say not in thine heart, “who shall ascend into heaven? (that is to bring Christ down from above): (7) Or who shall descend into hell? (that is to bring Christ up from the dead) [Meaning: we don’t have that power nor should we try to second guess the Lord as to who is going to go to heaven or to hell]. (8) But what sayeth it? (or what does the righteousness which is of faith say?) The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the WORD OF FAITH, which we preach.

If you really want to be righteous or as Jesus said, “born again”, do as it requires in Rom. 10:9-10 (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness (which is by faith); and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Greek word, Sozo: delivered, made whole, healed, prosperous, protection).

So, now you know. If you have not believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth the Lord Jesus, this would be a great time. It’s yours for the asking. What a deal!

Glory to God,

Hal Mitchell

Halmitch@cox.net