There is a correct way of thinking, feeling, speaking, and behaving. It’s called righteousness. A righteous person is known as one who shows integrity, virtue, purity of life, and correct actions.
There is also an incorrect way of thinking, feeling, and behaving. The unrighteous do not show integrity, virtue, purity, or correct actions. It only takes a moment to distinguish between the two, the unrighteous and the righteous. The righteous show good deeds, while the speech and acts of the unrighteous are not so.
First John 1:29 has this: “If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” The righteous are born again, their sins washed awayin baptism. They choose a better way of life, the way of Jesus. Jesus calls us to a life of righteousness. It is a life that leads to eternal happiness in heaven, where He is, ruling at the right hand of God.
The unrighteous who die in that state are awarded eternity in hell, doom, smoke, despair, and burning torment. One doesn’t get a second chance. There are no part-timers in hell. There is no waiting period to move on to the next level. There’s no Heaven University in hell where one graduates from hell to heaven. There’s no learning curve and curved grades. Hell is just that, hell. Even our imagination cannot fathom the torment of the ever-lasting flame.
Thinking
Proper thinking stems from having Jesus embedded in the mind. Colossians 3:1-2 states,“Therefore if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is,seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”
Christians submit their will, mind, heart, and soul to Jesus. Jesus leads, and His flockfollows. The flock trusts the Shepherd. He has trained them to keep heavenly things in their minds. There is no peace like God’s peace, Philippians 4:7. The Lord provides His people witheverything they need.Thinking of worldly things brings despair and sorrow. That’s the devil’s way. He promisesfabulous things but, in the end, brings forth death. He cannot be trusted, and we don’t want arelationship with Him. Trusting the devil is a taste of hell on earth before being sentenced toeternal hell.
God is good, kind, caring, and gracious. He provides everything our body, mind, heart,and soul need. As such, Christians have their minds fixed on Jesus. Our language is kind andgraceful. Our actions are benevolent. We aim to live in peace, and we hit that target.
Feeling
Emotions run high with Christians, with the righteous. We see pain and seek to relieve it.We see those in sad conditions and are motivated to lift the sorrow. We see lost souls and sharethe gospel – the best news anyone could receive.
We experience joy in our daily lives from our relationship with Jesus. Our sins areforgiven, and we have a home in heaven. We know how to live on this earth with ourselves, ourbrethren, and the unrighteous. We joyfully worship each Lord’s Day. Our burdens are lifted at Calvary.
Our hearts enjoy peace, comfort, and contentment. Are there earthly problems for Christians? Absolutely, but our Lord is always with us; with Him, we get through every one oflife’s issues. Storms will come, my friends. However, the way of the righteous affords a lovingrelationship with our God.
Actions
It’s been said that actions speak louder than words. It’s easy to know who a Christian is.His deeds bring glory to God, Matthew 5:16. Others view our words and actions and realizethey’re in the presence of a Christian. Many don’t care and continue with their blasphemousmouths, but they know the difference. Christians are different. They are different because Jesus is different. 1st John 3:13-14 says, “Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brethren. He who doesnot love abides in death.
”It’s not surprising the world hates Christians. They stand against the sins of the world.The world curses using God’s holy name. They have blasphemous tongues. Evil is on theirminds and in their loins. What’s normal for them is antithetical to a Christian. John says non-Christians abide in death. That’s spiritual death, the death of unending hell.
A Christian’s conduct is above reproach. You can safely trust him. He will do you no harm. He will help you as he can. God says this in Galatians 6:10: "So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those of the household of the faith.” It’s always best to come to Christ. Having a Christian you can call a friend is great.
Conclusion
Righteousness is the way of a Christian life. It’s the only way. Jesus teaches this to beso. Everyone must choose their relationship with Jesus. The unrighteous will be lost. Therighteous will be saved and have an eternal home in heaven.
Garland Van Dyke
garland.churchofchrist@gmail.com?subject=Righteousness