By Saundra L. Washington As was pointed out in part 1, righteous is not simple goodness. We know this because the Pharisee was a good man and followed religious rules and rituals more than most of us would or should. But, his goodness was unacceptable to God. There will be a lot of so called good people in hell. Goodness is not a ticket to the Kingdom of God. Righteousness is also not being different for difference sake. Though Christians are called upon to be different from unbelievers, God is concerned with what manner we are different and what constitutes the difference. Righteousness is not ritual. There are many who confuse following rules and rituals with righteousness. Ritual, be it ever so wonderful and beautiful, is not righteousness. In the church for example, it is possible to have ritual without worship or what St. Paul called the form of godliness. The form is as far as a lot of people go. There is absolutely nothing real about them. They look like saints but act like Satan. Righteousness is definitely not ritual. It is not a body of rules to be rehearsed like an actor would rehearse a scene. We can never measure up by following rules and rituals. The Pharisee believed in sticking to the rules. Listen to him as he proudly says, I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' Luke 9:12. Now I believe in fasting when there is real spiritual reason for it. But this business of not eating simply to impress someone with it is ridiculous. I am amazed how during the Lenten season the things people decide to give up. They give up everything but themselves; everything except what the Lord requires. But, lets not go there. We also learn from the Pharisee that he was not cheapskate. He believed in giving God his monetary due. Most people rob God. They receive from God but only give Him back what may rightfully be called residuals. But again, ritual is not righteousness. What then is righteousness? True righteousness springs from the heart. It is God centered, not self centered. It is recognizing our deficiency in the presence of Gods sufficiency. Righteousness is something that perfects in our lives. It is Christ inside of us carrying out the will of God. The one who in faith gives oneself to the doing of God's will is righteous, doing righteousness, and considered righteous by God. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God's friend. James 2:23. Righteousness is that which God requires of man and which He gives as a gift to people of faith. In this line of thought, faith is the condition for the reception of the gift of righteousness from God. God acts in Christ, and, in turn, humans react by having faith. Then God gives them righteousness or count them, on the basis of their faith, as if they were righteous. You have an open invitation to visit us at AMEN Ministries: Your Soul's Service Station for reviewing spiritual services being offered, obtain spiritual refreshing and soul edification, get your daily dose of humor, browse our newly expanded Stop & Shop WebStore and to visit our prayer sanctum for quiet time with God. Blessings to all!
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