MEANING TO MEDITATE TO CONFORM: “RIGHTEOUSNESS” 

This series of blogs on “MEANING TO MEDITATE TO CONFORM” is our invitation to you to come along and slowly think through these words so that we conform to the nature and character of God.  We will present a word each week to meditate on and conform our hearts. 

WORLD DEFINITION 

Righteousness is the quality of being morally right or morally justified.  Rightness or wrongness depends upon that which defines right and wrong in a society or group.  Righteousness is considered a ‘religious’ word in that a person is righteous who follows religious laws or is upright in one’s religious tradition… whatever that tradition might be.  This seems to cover most religions.  

It is not a word that most in the world are concerned with and is seen as the result of ‘just being a good person in general.’  Righteousness is connected with the words good, right actions, and positive vibes. 

Even in slang… ‘that’s righteous, man!’ the element of the uniqueness or specialness of the item is present.  From a religious perspective, it is an abuse of the word, but it does speak to the uniqueness of something that is not common.  There is a shared meaning in something uncommon. 

CHURCH/FOLK DEFINITION 

Righteousness is holy and upright living according to God’s standard of behavior.  It is tied to behavior, actions, and attitudes.  When one conforms to God’s standard presented in the Bible, then one is righteous.  God is the Source and Definer of righteousness.   

In day-to-day life, we must follow God and this is the righteous path.  Following/conforming to God leads us to live without sin.  In day-to-day life, righteousness is related to our actions.   

Related Words: Blameless, Follow, Trust 

BIBLE/THEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE 

Abraham, in the Old Testament, trusted in God’s provision (faith) and followed through and this was credited to him as righteousness.  He trusted in all that God would do.  He trusted in the character of God.  He trusted in God.   

The sacrificial system (See Leviticus) is set up to show people’s need for righteousness and to provide a way to have righteous terms with God.  A right relationship with God (and with other people) is dependent on this system.  This system relies on the character of God to forgive and make things right. 

In the New Testament, the cross of Jesus Christ is the symbol and public demonstration of the fulfillment of all the Levitical Law tried to do and provides permanent righteousness for those who accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  People are not good.  People are only seen as good because of Jesus.  The act of Jesus as one of us (human) justifies and makes righteous.  People then must trust in Him. 

In the middle of all of this, faith in God and the character of God remain the same throughout the passage of time and the change between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant. 

MEANING 

Blamelessness (a keyword related to righteousness based on Jesus) comes because of the sacrifice of Jesus and is how God sees us.  We have faith and it is credited to us as righteousness.  We must trust in the One who had no sin and leads us to righteousness.  This leads us to conform to Him.   

Practically, a believer follows after Jesus and conforms like Him.  The following is trust which is faith-action in the example of Jesus.  We must step into the unknown for us, but known to God.  Jesus made it possible for us to walk in His steps and become righteous, but only because of Him.  We must follow Him in an ongoing manner and our righteousness is an ongoing process as well. 

This series of blogs on “MEANING TO MEDITATE TO CONFORM” is our invitation to you to come along and slowly think through these words so that we conform to the nature and character of God.  We will present a word each week to meditate on and conform our hearts.