The Righteous

This Series = Sin and Righteousness - Review:

SIN - a violation of divine law(s) - "wrongness"
Opposite:  Righteousness - the state of being right or the act of doing right

"Righteousness" used in the Scripture of:
#1.  God - because He is Right!!!  - always, in everything He does, allows, etc.
Sometimes
#2.  Messiah - THE RIGHTEOUS ONE - 1 John 2:1
Often
#3. Man - if he is (in the) right.  Gen. 6:9 - Noah  Heb. 10:38 - individual, ie. the believer
And
#4.  The Righteous - broad, collective term (ones, people, group)
Prov. 10:25, 29, 14:32
Psalm 32:11  33:1

Question:  Who is this "righteous one"?  righteous group?

We noted righteousness in 2 forms (or 2 kinds) in Scripture:
A)  Positional Righteousness - illus.  the Bridge
B)  Practical Righteousness - illus.  the Path
After Adam and Eve sinned, man was no longer in a right relationship with God

So..... "the righteous" (one) = one who is...
1)  in right relationship (standing) with God
AND:
2)  attempting to live right, do right.  Note:  in this life, none of us are perfectly righteous.

Psalm 112:1 - fears the Lord (positional) - proper reverence, respect, and delights in His Word (practical)
Contrast with Jer. 44:10 - Not humbled (positional) nor followed (practical)

Point:  "the righteous" = those who stand right AND seek to do right.  Non-Christians see us as better than them.  Truth is, we should be, but not better before salvation.

Note:
1)  Right standing is defined by God (not by man) - Matt. 7:21-23

2)  Right behavior is defined by God (not by man). - Man = self-determined righteousness.  Prov. 14:12 - my way

QUESTION:  How can we know what = right standing?  behavior?
ANSWER = Revealed Will - He has showed us if we want to know.  Micah 6:6-8, 1 Cor. 4:4

Note:  conscience alone is NOT adequate because the conscience is not necessarily accurate.  It won't "square up" - Prob. 14:12 - need something much more accurate, ie:  God's Word.  Cannot correct without the right standard

APPLICATION:
#1.  We are called to BOTH right standing and right behavior.

#2.  We are called to measure by His Word(s)

#3.  It is a call with a promise (many promises) - Matt. 6:33,  Matt. 5:6 - you follow Me, I will take care of you.

#4.  Pursuing righteousness is not always easy.
Often goes "against the grain" (natural inclination, desires)
Sometimes goes against Society!! - Matt. 5:10-12, 2 Tim. 3:12

BUT....
#5.  Righteousness is always right!!
Therefore, righteousness is always best!! - maybe not immediately
      (A)  for the individual - Gal. 6:7-9 - at proper time, don't wear out doing good.
      (B)  for the group - Prov. 14:34

CLOSING:  Deut. 30:19 - now choose life.