THE KEY TO RIGHTEOUS LIVING

Written by Curt Klingerman

1 Peter 2:24 Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by Whose stripes ye were healed.

We have been told that we are to live righteously (see also Titus 2:11-13), but in the process of trying to live that out, a number of us struggle at it. Instead of walking in the freedom of faith, they walk in bondage to religious codes or give up altogether. It is not that they do not want to live righteously; the problem lies in the how-to. Meaning, how do we live righteously? What does that look like, exactly? Before going any farther, we have to grasp the concept that it is the righteousness of Jesus that we depend on, and not our own. 2Corinthians 5:21 For He hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. While we rest in Him, where do we go from there?

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

Love is a major key to righteous living, and we would be incapable without it. It begins with God's love, since it was for love He sent Jesus (see John 3:16). Jesus laid His life down because He loves the Father and us. Righteousness requires faith, but faith works by love (see Romans 3:20-31; Galatians 5:6). Romans 13:8-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

When we love others, our only intention is to do good unto them while pleasing the Father. Love is pure with no hidden agendas attached. It is incapable of malice or greed, and is the polar opposite of self-centeredness (see 1Corinthisans 13:1-13). When we love others, it is our joy to bless them solely for their benefit. That means when we walk in love, we will not even consider doing anything that will hurt another. It makes living righteously a joy as well because it blesses and pleases the Lord. Love keeps our focus on righteousness and true holiness. By His very nature, God is righteous, and we know He is Love (1John 4:16). Since we are made in His image, our design is to be love as well. As we submit to the nature of God, we will live righteously for love's sake. "Like Father, like son or daughter."