I LOVE RIGHTEOUSNESS

Part 2

"Righteousness exalts a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people," Psalm 14:34

A nation is made up of families. Therefore, the only way we can have a righteous nation is if we establish righteous families, which are made up of righteous individuals. May God help us to be righteous couples who are committed to raising righteous families. There is no other plan for a righteous nation. It comes back to families.

The Psalmist cried out in Psalm 11:3, "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" There is only one thing we can do, and that is to build them again. The first institution God ordained was marriage and family-before church and before government. We cannot look to government. We cannot look to the organized church. We must come back to establishing righteous marriages and raising godly families.

What does it mean to be a righteous family?

Righteousness is associated with Life

Proverbs 12:28 says, "In the way of righteousness is life: and in the pathway thereof there is no death." See also Proverbs 11:19 and 21:21.

Romans 8:1-11 says, "If Christ be in you... the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also give life to your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you." See also 1 Peter 2:24.

Jesus Christ came to give us life; more than that, He came to give us "abundant life" John 10:10. The word "abundant" in the Greek is perissos and means "exceedingly, above the greatest abundance, superabundantly, over and above." This is the righteous life of Jesus that dwells in is. This abundant life is the opposite of boring. It is the opposite of being religious. It is the opposite of living according to regulations and laws imposed by men regarding dress codes and so on.

This kind of righteousness is creative living. It is life-pulsating and life-impacting. It is life-speaking. Every time we open our mouth we will speak words of life that feed and nourish our husband and children. Proverbs 10:11 says,  "The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life." See also Proverbs 10:21. This is the kind of life God wants us to enjoy with our families.

We will be a "tree of life," giving sustenance, shade, shelter and hope to all we meet. A tree is not stagnant, but life-giving. See Proverbs 11:30 and Isaiah 61:3.

Righteousness is associated with Fruitfulness

Isaiah 32:16 says, "Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field." Righteousness is the opposite of unfruitfulness. God who is a righteous God loves fruitfulness. He associates himself with fruitfulness. Psalm 107:42-43 tells us that when God makes families "like a flock," the righteous rejoice! They are glad and praise the Lord when more children are born. Did you notice that it is God who makes families like a flock? It is not man's doing, but God's.

If we choose barrenness rather than fruitfulness, can we say that we walk in righteousness? Check out Psalm 128:3.

Righteousness will produce fruit in every aspect of our lives. Philippians 1:11 says, "Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God." See also Proverbs 12:12 and 2 Corinthians 9:10b.

Righteousness is associated with Wisdom

Psalm 37:30 says, "The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom." This is the opposite of foolish talking and jesting. We are prone to a lot of foolish talking, aren't we? But when righteousness fills our hearts, it will come out of our mouths. Righteousness is not stagnant. It is an attribute that lives and breathes, acts and speaks. See Proverbs 10:32 and 15:28.

1 Corinthians 1:30 says, "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Christ in us is righteousness. Christ in us is wisdom who enables us to speak words of wisdom. Because Christ is in us, we should have the same testimony of Jesus of whom they "wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth" (Luke 4:22). They also exclaimed, "No man ever spoke like this man" (John 7:46 RAV).

Love from NANCY CAMPBELL

PRAYER:

"Dear loving Father, I want to walk in righteousness. Thank you for showing me that your righteousness is life and fruitfulness. Anoint my head with oil to walk in life instead of legality. Amen."

AFFIRMATION:

I am helping to build a righteous nation as I build a righteous marriage and family.

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