We welcome you to another edition of our daily edition where impactful topics are treated as daily blessings. It is our joy that the glory that we hear testimonies that our readers are being blessed through our devotionals. This edition is powerful and topics are ready to bless you more. You can locate our previous editions here.
The Righteous and the Wicked
Read Proverbs 11.
Today’s Scripture makes a clear difference between the man that can be called righteous and the man that can be called wicked. The faithfulness and uprightness of the righteous make way for them, guide them, and rescue them from trouble. But the work of the wicked will lead them to the path of destruction, they will be trapped in their sinful lust, and trouble will fall on their heads
As a Christian, you have been called to live a righteous life, a life that pleases God that can only be found in Christ Jesus. If you have given your life to Jesus Christ, you will be filled with those acts of righteousness that Jesus is known for. These include love, joy peace, compassion, good deeds, obedience to God’s commandments, faithfulness, and uprightness among others. Let’s not forget that the Lord detests dishonest scales but accurate weights find favour with Him.
Prayer: Father, please help me to live a righteous life.
Genuine Righteousness
The apostle Paul compared his former ways of life, hinged on the law and his new life based on righteousness by faith. He recalled how he boasted about his Jewish background and zealous persecution of the church before he met Christ. His encounter with Jesus changed his old perspectives and he regarded all his self-acclaimed righteousness as rubbish. He realised that it is only the righteousness that comes from Christ by faith that is genuine and approved by God.
Jesus had paid the price for our righteousness with His sinless life. Whosoever believes in Him and accepts His Lordship will also have His righteousness. God wants us to live by faith in the righteousness of Christ. By doing so, it will be easy to live our lives to please God. The righteousness of God imputed to believers at salvation enables us to live up to God’s standard. Your righteousness cannot accomplish God’s righteousness in Christ.
Prayer: Lord, enable me to live daily in Your righteousness.
Righteousness through Faith
Read Romans 3:22
A man unintentionally fell into a river and started sinking. He screamed for help and a fisherman heard. The man had to have faith in the ability of the fisherman to rescue him. Upon reaching the drowning man, the fisherman held his hand, he released himself to the fisherman and he got saved. Faith is simply trust and reliance on God.
In our passage, Apostle Paul explained about the righteousness received from. He said that this comes through faith in Jesus Christ. He continued to state that whoever wants to benefit from the righteousness of God must first believe in Jesus Christ. He said that Jesus stands as the bridge through which we can connect with the righteousness of God. In essence, no one can be right in God’s sight apart from Christ in that person. Through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ for the sins of the world, everyone can be justified and redeemed unto righteousness.
The finished work of Christ on the cross is sufficient to make sinners righteous in God’s sight and subsequently do works of righteousness. Are you struggling to live right? Put your faith in Jesus. He will fix the problem.
Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for paying the price for me to live right.
Fulfill All Righteousness
Read Matthew 3:15.
Baptism is seen as an important time of celebration in the life of a Christian and the church. Before the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry, John the Baptist was preaching the message of repentance to people and baptising them in the River Jordan. For John the Baptist’s ministry to be fulfilled, Jesus must be baptised with him.
John the Baptist was baptising people for repentance from sin and, Jesus, being fully God and fully man is sinless, hence John’s baptism was not for Jesus. Jesus was sinless and He did not need to be forgiven. Jesus surrendered Himself to the exercise as a sign of humility and for God the Father to identify Him as the beloved Son in whom He is well pleased.
Beloved, how patriotic are you as a citizen of your country, and as a member of your local church? You must be born again, and then submit yourself for baptism. Baptism does not equal salvation but it entails obedience to the Word of God. To fulfil righteousness, go and do it. Baptism by immersion is a must for all believers.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, remove every trait of pride in me in Jesus’ name.
Living for Righteousness
Read 1 Peter 2:24.
A woman risked her life to rescue a child (now a grown-up) from an accident, which claimed the lives of his parents. She trained him to become responsible and to live a righteous life. To her uttermost surprise, the young man joined a bad gang to smoke marijuana and he was expelled from school. The woman was very disappointed.
Our salvation may not be valued until we reflect on what it cost Jesus Christ to obtain it for us. Jesus Christ bore our sins with extreme pain on the cross and gave all to help us gain all He possesses. He paid the supreme sacrifice so that “we might die to sins and live for righteousness”(1 Peter 2:24). The only way to appreciate our salvation is to live in holiness.
Always remember that Christ detests sin, or lives a life of pretense that does not portray Christ and His gospel. In Proverbs 12:28°, “In the way of righteousness there is life” Though there will be trials and temptations only through righteousness is life and in this, we find eternal joy. You can only please Him when you deviate from sin and live in righteousness. Deviate from sin today to live a righteous life. Determine to spend this day and the rest of your life to please Him by living in holiness.
Prayer: Forgive me O Lord in any way l have disregarded your love./promise to live the rest of my life to please you.
Righteousness by Faith
Read Romans 4:3.
A young man protested because of a poor salary. He was however embarrassed when he discovered that he was supposed to have been receiving a much lesser pay than what he received but the generous employer showed him mercy by increasing his pay.
The benefits derived from the Christian faith are not earned by the works of men. Though Abraham was faithful to God, it was not his works that earned him righteousness. Abraham believed in God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3). We are not qualified because of personal right, but by grace. Our salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Also, our righteousness and justification are by faith not by works (Romans 4:2-3). No one can boast of any of these by their works because none of these can be earned by works.
Are you proud of your service to the Lord or of your achievements through faith? Remember, whatever any man can earn by his doings does not count in the kingdom of God. It is only by faith that we can please God and earn His righteousness(Hebrews 11:6). See and put God first in your life and whatever you do today so your works can be productive and rewarding. Spiritual benefits are purely products of grace and can only be enjoyed by faith.
Prayer: Help me O Lord to always appreciate You so I can daily live in faith.
Righteousness Exalts
Read Proverbs 14:34.
Righteousness is not only a concept; it is a lifestyle. As a godly lifestyle, righteousness is not merely an event; instead, it is expected to be a daily experience for those who are already circumcised at heart. It entails being faithful and transparently honest in one’s endeavours.
It alludes to lifestyles such as honesty, faithfulness, and transparency which can ensure harmonious relationships among people. This is in contrast to the pursuit of high-sounding ideas and philosophies to cheat fellow human beings. Though righteousness is fraught with a series of challenges, as it can expose the godly to physical harm dangers and criticisms, yet, it guarantees security and personal diplomacy, smartness, among others.
Do you wish to make a positive impact on your world? Then, whatever you know Christ would not do, and let others see the nature of Christ in you as you represent Him whatever is achieved through righteousness lasts. Choose to be righteous always.
Prayer: O Lord, grant me grace to remain steadfast and firm in daily pursuit of righteousness.
