Pursue Righteousness… “The Lord detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness.” Proverbs 15:9
What does it mean to pursue righteousness? We pursue happiness. We pursue financial security. We pursue a husband or wife for marriage, but what is the pursuit of righteousness? It is a standard of behavior that is morally right or justifiable as God defines right. We pursue righteousness when we determine to understand what the Scripture outlines as right and integrate it into our behavior. It is intentional living.
The pursuit of righteousness begins with the pursuit of God for He is the Righteous One. “The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin” (Proverbs 21:12). He detests the way of the wicked but loves those who pursue righteousness. He loves those who pursue Him for righteousness sake. So we seek Him, because we need Him to transform us into the likeness of His son Jesus.
It is the path of the righteous He makes smooth, not without bumps along the way but with clear direction for living. Perhaps you ask, ‘How do I know God’s will for school, marriage or work?’ Pursue righteousness and He will direct your steps. Don’t worry and fret over step fourteen, instead, by faith, focus on the next step. “The path of the righteous is level; O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth” (Isaiah 26:7).
Without your Lord and Savior Jesus, your “righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6b). Indeed it is not what you do for Jesus, but it’s the work of His Spirit in and through you to produce the fruit of righteousness. Remain in Him and He will make you righteous, not holier-than-thou but humble and loving. ‘Am I pursuing righteousness by abiding in Christ?’ “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4 NKJV).
Related Readings: 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 1:6; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22
Transformational Living
What did I learn from the Lord in today’s Bible reading?
How will I respond?
