How do we "do" righteousness?

[memoriesbymichelle]

Proverbs 21:3 "To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice".

I have read this scripture many times in my life but today it made me stop and ask "How do we "do" righteousness? What does it mean to "do" righteousness?

 

[blackribbon]

I think it has to do with intent....a conscious choice to follow God and God's will as He expresses it in your heart.

I believe that a person who does not sin because the opportunity doesn't arise is not necessarily "righteous". It is the person that is struggling to find God's will and purpose even amongst hardships and sin that can earn that title.

Mother Teresa was righteous in my opinion. It didn't come when she was hidden away in a convent but rather when she was willing to spend her life among the squalor that no one else would face. Her life wasn't pretty and she claimed that she had many conversation with God about this wasn't what she had wanted from life and wasn't always happy. She wasn't a saint. She was a real person who was actively seeking God's purpose for her life AND following it.

Compare that with Jonah who turned tail and ran when God sent him on a specific journey. Even at the end, he resented that God saved the people of Nineva. His story is an entire book of the Bible, but I suspect that he might not have gained the title "righteous". However, God used him anyway.

 

[Steve Petersen]

In Jewish thougth 'righteousness' (tzedekah) means keeping God's commandments.

 

[blackribbon]

In Jewish thougth 'righteousness' (tzedekah) means keeping God's commandments.

If that is true, then we can't be righteous anymore because we no longer do the blood sacrifices. I suspect that Jewish teachers would say that the commandments are more than just the formal 10 but include the dietary, prayer rules, and hygiene commandments too.

However, Jesus did not call us to "be Jewish" and follow the laws given to the Jews. He called us to follow him and be "little Christs" (the definition of Christian). His commandments were just two: Love God and love your neighbor. Both are more heart issues than legal issues.

Matt 22: 37-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

 

[Steve Petersen]

If that is true, then we can't be righteous anymore because we no longer do the blood sacrifices. I suspect that Jewish teachers would say that the commandments are more than just the formal 10 but include the dietary, prayer rules, and hygiene commandments too.

However, Jesus did not call us to "be Jewish" and follow the laws given to the Jews. He called us to follow him and be "little Christs" (the definition of Christian). His commandments were just two: Love God and love your neighbor. Both are more heart issues than legal issues.

Matt 22: 37-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Point is that righteousness is more than a state of being, it is also a lifestyle.

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Point is that righteousness is more than a state of being, it is also a lifestyle.

That is an excellent point. I didn't get that from your first post though.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

I think in simplicity it's obedience in daily living out the Word you do know.

 

[blackribbon]

Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

I think in simplicity it's obedience in daily living out the Word you do know.

Very well put and I agree

 

[memoriesbymichelle]

Proverbs 2:1-9

My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;

2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.

9 Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.

 

[blackribbon]

Thank you