I was studying the scriptures to understand the process involved in having a mansion in Heaven and I stumbled upon this statement made by Jesus: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matthew 6:33). I changed my course of study to know the virtue of righteousness, and I would like to share my findings with you today.

The story of Albina during the war shows that the act of righteousness is more than a theoretical essay;

“Albina and Dennis Przybyszewski lived in Stydyn, a small Polish town. When the Nazis began to take away the Jews, Albina and her husband took several young Jews into their home to save them. In May 1943, a young Jewish man, his wife and her sister were hidden in their home.

The sister, Ita, had gone to another village when the Ukrainians under German command attacked the house. The young couple was killed and Dennis Przbyszewski was taking away and later killed. Albina ran to another village.

Ita went to another place. But they met again after two months in Sarny when they were being deported to labor camps in Germany. Ita was with another young Jewish girl, Batia. During the processing for departure the officials called out the name Przbyszewski, the people who stepped forward were Albina, her mother, Albina’s two young daughters, Ita and Batia.

During their entire stay in Germany, they lived together as one family and endured many terrific incidents until the end of the war.”

What is Righteousness?

It is God’s character related to perfection and holy justification in all issues of life.

Does God want us to be Righteous?

Yes!! The following verses speak the voice of God:

1. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

2. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)

3. “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20)

How Can I Become Righteous?

The righteousness from human doctrine is a filthy rag which is also called self-righteousness.

The best way to become righteous is to forsake human doctrines (including all false church doctrines) and to obey all the teachings of the Lord faithfully. You cannot fulfill the righteousness of the Lord without the presence of the Holy Spirit in your heart.

John chapter 16 verses 8 say: “And when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”

Is it Possible to be Righteous?

It is a pity that majority of the preachers in our generation have watered down the teachings of righteousness through misconception of the scriptures. Some of their misleading statements include:

1. “Only God can be righteous…

2. “It is not possible for the earthly body to obey righteousness, so recite Psalm 51 always.”

3. “You are under the grace and not under any law (of Jesus), so the grace will take care of your incessant unrighteousness.”

4. “Just become a Christian, your character does not matter because Jesus’ righteousness will take care of you…”

If righteousness is an impossible virtue for us, then the Lord will not instruct us to seek for His righteousness.

The golden rules

1. Understand the personality of the LORD by reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.

2. Believe the Power of the Lord and Love Him.

Romans chapter 1 verse 17 says: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

3. Allow God to control everything about you (this is the most difficult task for human!)

4. Obey the voice of the Holy Spirit in every decision of life.

Romans chapter 6 verse 16 say: “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”

The practice of these four steps makes you righteous in the Lord without your strength or power. It is impossible to boast of God’s righteousness, because it has to do with one’s daily submission to the Lord’s will.

I am not surprised that many pulpits don’t preach righteousness anymore. The church had mingled with the world. This sad scenario answers the questions of our Lord Jesus Christ recorded in the book of Luke chapter 18 verses 8: “…Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

There is no shortcut to heaven, so, your righteous lifestyle is paramount. Prayer is not enough to yield righteousness, but you will enjoy the righteousness of the Lord through obedience to His ordinance.