Spiritual Maturity Step 4: Choose Righteousness • DDCommunity

Will you choose righteousness?

Every day, we make choices—will you choose righteousness and walk in God’s ways?

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matt. 5:6 CSB).

At the point of salvation, God gives us His righteousness; however, we are constantly tempted to pursue selfish ambition instead of continuing to live by God’s righteous standards. Even when I am cleansed from all unrighteousness, I must continuously seek Christ and practice His righteousness. I must consistently choose to follow God’s way—I must choose righteousness.

What is righteousness?

The NASB 2020[1] Topical Index enables us to gain a deeper understanding of righteousness.

The Hebrew and Greek terms translated “righteousness” or “justice” signify that which is right or that which conforms to the character of God. Because God has graciously made a covenant with His people, His righteousness often takes the form of keeping that covenant with acts of deliverance, salvation, and judgment on His enemies. The ultimate expression of God’s righteousness is seen in the coming of Christ, who works both salvation and judgment. Righteousness is also demanded of people for fellowship with God. This is obtained first through simple faith in Christ resulting in the righteousness of Christ being accounted to the believer (Rom 3:21-22). Then the righteousness of God is gradually incorporated into the practical life of the believer through the ministry of the indwelling Spirit (Rom 8:4; Ezek 36:26f).

Other commentators add: “Righteous (Hebrew ṣaddı̂q [tsaw-dak’]) speaks of loyal, reliable conduct based on a commitment to God…. It is a term of relationship which describes a desire to live a life pleasing to God and fitting to the members of God’s family. It means behaving toward God and His people with the same care, compassion, and integrity that the righteous God has shown them.”^[2]

Let your light shine.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord (Eph. 5:8–10 NASB). “The light produces ‘goodness,’ one manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). Goodness is ‘love in action.’ Righteousness means rightness of character before God and rightness of actions before men. Both of these qualities are based on truth, which is conformity to the Word and will of God.”^[3]

Your light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matt. 5:16 NASB). For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light, so that his deeds will not be exposed. But the one who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds will be revealed as having been performed in God (John 3:20–21 NASB). But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light (Eph. 5:13 NASB).

The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let’s rid ourselves of the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts (Rom. 13:12–14 NASB).

Choosing righteousness demonstrates godliness.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, eager for good deeds. (Titus 2:11–14 NASB)

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:14–16 NASB). But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith (1 Tim. 1:5 NASB).

Consistently pursue righteousness.

Repeatedly in Proverbs, God contrasts choosing righteousness over wickedness. The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand (Prov. 12:7 CSB). The thoughts of the righteous are just, but guidance from the wicked is deceitful (Prov. 12:5 CSB). The wicked flee when no one is pursuing them, but the righteous are as bold as a lion (Prov. 28:1 CS B). The evil do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand everything (Prov. 28:5 CSB).

Psalm 119 reminds us to connect to God’s Word in our pursuit of justice and righteousness. Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on your commands (Ps. 119:66 CSB). I have not turned from your judgments, for you yourself have instructed me (Ps. 119:102 CSB). I praise you seven times a day for your righteous judgments (Ps. 119:164 CSB).

God desires for us to consistently choose righteousness so that we may live in the abundant blessings that righteous living offers. Additionally, righteousness is the sacrifice we offer to the Lord in gratitude for His abundant blessings. For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will see His face (Ps. 11:7 NASB).

More Steps to Spiritual Maturity

Dive deeper into As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father 10 Steps to Spiritual Maturity with these posts:

As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father Cover

Discover the heart of childlike faith! As a Little Child: Conversations with the Father by Melanie D. Lewis is available as an ebook and course through DDCommunity Institute.

Grow deeper in your walk with Christ. Learn how DDCommunity Institute equips Christian leaders for transformative ministry.

[1] NASB 2020 Wide-Margin Reference Edition (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2022).

^[2] David A. Hubbard and Lloyd J. Ogilvie, Proverbs, vol. 15, The Preacher’s Commentary Series (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc, 1989), 145.

^[3] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 45.

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