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Scripture teaches that one’s righteous standing before God can be lost. Believers must be sanctified unto holiness progressively – for salvation is a process!
“… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil … Whoever has been born of God does not sin (habitually) … In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (1 John 3:7-10)
Notice who “the children of God” are vs. who belongs to Satan. Believers who are “faithful” will be obedient to Jesus’ commandments and practice righteousness … and will have a standing of righteousness before the Lord.
“… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)
But, do all believers who are born of God practice righteousness?
“… who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35)
“All Scripture … is profitable for … instruction in righteousness (i.e. instruction in the practicing of righteousness)” (2 Timothy 3:16)
“… we, having died to sins, should live for righteousness (i.e. live for the practicing of righteousness)” (1 Peter 2:24)
“But you, O man of God, flee these things
and pursue righteousness and a godly life …
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.
Instead, pursue righteous living”
(1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22)
“… you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living … Now you must give yourselves
to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.” (Romans 6:16-19)
“holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else
and live righteously” (Matthew 6:33)
Yes, we need to seek to live like Jesus lived,
which is righteously!
“But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.” (Galatians 5:5)
Living by the Spirit (practicing righteousness)
results in continuing to be righteous!
“I want you to understand what really matters,
so that you may live pure and blameless lives
until the day of Christ’s return. May you always
be filled with the fruit of your salvation –
the righteous character produced in your life
by Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:10-11)
The fruit of being saved is a lifestyle of righteousness!
“Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin … Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning … We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning”
(1 John 3:6, 3:9, 5:18)
“For it would have been better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.” (2 Peter 2:21)
“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth (by living) in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18)
Of course, this is all a continuation of what God demanded in the old covenant:
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright (i.e. by practicing righteousness) I will show the salvation of God.” (Psalms 50:23)
This multitude of Scripture verses should convince us that “works righteousness” is ALSO required for salvation.
“… let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil … Whoever has been born of God does not sin (habitually) … In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (1 John 3:7-10)
Notice who “the children of God” are vs. who belongs to Satan. Believers who are “faithful” will be obedient to Jesus’ commandments and practice righteousness … and will have a standing of righteousness before the Lord.
“… you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:29)
But, do all believers who are born of God practice righteousness?
“… who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35)
“All Scripture … is profitable for … instruction in righteousness (i.e. instruction in the practicing of righteousness)” (2 Timothy 3:16)
“… we, having died to sins, should live for righteousness (i.e. live for the practicing of righteousness)” (1 Peter 2:24)
“But you, O man of God, flee these things
and pursue righteousness and a godly life …
Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts.
Instead, pursue righteous living”
(1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22)
“… you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living … Now you must give yourselves
to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.” (Romans 6:16-19)
“holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14)
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else
and live righteously” (Matthew 6:33)
Yes, we need to seek to live like Jesus lived,
which is righteously!
“But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.” (Galatians 5:5)
Living by the Spirit (practicing righteousness)
results in continuing to be righteous!
“I want you to understand what really matters,
so that you may live pure and blameless lives
until the day of Christ’s return. May you always
be filled with the fruit of your salvation –
the righteous character produced in your life
by Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:10-11)
The fruit of being saved is a lifestyle of righteousness!
“Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin … Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning … We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning”
(1 John 3:6, 3:9, 5:18)
“For it would have been better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.” (2 Peter 2:21)
“The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth (by living) in unrighteousness.” (Romans 1:18)
Of course, this is all a continuation of what God demanded in the old covenant:
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; and to him who orders his conduct aright (i.e. by practicing righteousness) I will show the salvation of God.” (Psalms 50:23)
This multitude of Scripture verses should convince us that “works righteousness” is ALSO required for salvation.
