HOW TO BECOME RIGHTEOUS?

**Waqar Daniel** Wed 27 Jun 2007, 6:18 pm

"I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless" (Genesis 17)

It is the desire of every believer to become righteous and we all strive for it. But what is righteousness and how do we get it? How do we walk before God and be blameless?

There are two types of righteousness mentioned in the Bible.

1. Believing in God and His Words
2. By doing acts of righteousness

The first type is mentioned in the Book of Genesis 15:6

"Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness".

This is the first time the word righteousness is used and also God mentioned how to achieve it.

We must therefore believe in what God said because "The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life" [John 6]

The first type of righteousness is achieved by reading, understanding and believing whatever God said in the Bible. Once we believe in God and His words, God credits it to us as an act of righteousness.
"In Him (Jesus) all the promises of God are yes" [2 Corinthians 1:20]

As believers we must believe in God's word because it gives us life, "The words that I (Jesus) speak to you are spirit, and they are life" [John 6]

Now the second type of righteousness is something gained by doing. The second type of righteousness brings us into the Grace of God. Grace of God is no license to sin rather it stops us to live in our sinful life.

"For the Grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say NO to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age" [Titus 2-14]

Paul explains it in more depth when he wrote a letter to Philippians, "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you" [Phillipians 4-9]

Getting into second type of righteousness is a continuous process. While achieving it one may fall many times but then it is God's promise to us "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying 'This is the way, walk in it. Whenever you turn to the right or whenever you turn to the left'" [Isaiah 30]

During this continuous process of achieving righteousness, we seek help from God as it is only God who can help us to stay on the track and on our own we cannot do it. "I am the LORD, who makes you holy" [Exo 31]

We need to be very vigilant while achieving the second type of righteousness and pray continuously to God to strengthen us because "Satan might not outwit us. For we are not aware of his schemes" [2 Corinthians 2:11]

We must read Bible, understand it and apply it to our lifes because "We must pay more attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away" [Hebrews 2]

"Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of Holy Spirit who lives in us" [2 Timothy 1:14]

The best way to put it is that we are all in a race, in this race we do not want to come second but rather we want victory in this race. Everyone runs in this race yet only one gets victory over others. We must see to it that we do not train less rather we should give everything in preparation of this race in order to win. We must, "Watch your life and doctrine. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers" [1 Timothy 5:22]

Therefore we need to achieve both types of righteousness. First we have to believe in God and His words, then we have to apply God's words in our lives in order to walk before God and be blameless.

If we do not change, then there are few things that God cannot do:

1. God does not take pleasure in evil
2. God cannot live with wicked
3. God expels the arrogant from His presence
4. God does not love who do wrong
5. God does not give prosperity to liars
6. God does not love bloodthirsty and deceitful men

[Psalms 5-6]

We must reflect on our lives on daily basis and try to change where we go wrong seeking forgiveness and help from God, "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent" [Psalms 4]

In our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Waqar Daniel

4given Wed 12 Sep 2007, 11:12 pm

Dear Daniel, thank you for making me understand what is God's Grace. I got little confused when I stopped someone from sinning. That person tld me that we are under God's Grace so God will save us. Now after reading your article, I understand what God's Grace is.

God bless you

ChristianLady Thu 13 Sep 2007, 4:18 pm

1. Believing in God and His Words
2. By doing acts of righteousness

I totally agree with you here Daniel. First we believe in God's words and then act on God's words. Yes I also disagree with people who say that God will forgive us in the end. Bible no where says such a thing. This is sure a deception by satan and his forces on earth.

God bless

lovemylord Mon 17 Sep 2007, 1:31 am

This is indeed a very informative message and I did not know that believing in God's words make us righteous too. How great is our God who sanctifies us.

Chris Wed 23 Jan 2008, 4:05 am

I have to respectfully disagree partly. I understand the thinking behind all the statements you have made, however I do believe a close study of the scripture will reveal that it is Jesus Christ and him only that makes us righteous. The Bible says that He that knew no sin was made sin so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

I believe that there are numerous times in the scripture where we can find that the Apostle Paul taught against the teaching of works for righteousness or salvation. We would definetly need to look at the book of Galations. We also need to look at the 6th chapter of the book of Romans. The scripture says a few times there that we are free from our sin. When the scripture says that we are free fromm our sin it means we have been loosed and released from the bondage of that sin.

When God forgives he says he will remember our sin no more. If he remembers them no more (any of them, PAST,PRESENT,FUTURE) then how could we ever be made righteous by our own good works?

Grace does not give us a liberty to sin, in fact it drives us to serve him. But, we are not driven by the law or forced by the law but rather we are lifted by grace and that gives us a great desire to serve him.

Please study this even closer because we can not mix Grace with the Law it has to be one way or the other.

May God Richly Bless You in Christ Name.

**Waqar Daniel** Wed 23 Jan 2008, 11:42 am

Dear Chris

Thank you for your kind reply and commenting on the post.

When God forgives he says he will remember our sin no more. If he remembers them no more (any of them, PAST,PRESENT,FUTURE) then how could we ever be made righteous by our own good works?

Can you give me a reference where it says that our future sins are forgiven with our sins of the past? Paul always taught in his letters to follow what God has asked us to do. He was against hypocrisy of some including Peter regarding worship laws.

However, if I put your theory in the context, then, I do not need to stay away from sin. I can do anything I like, I can have sex, I can murder, I can steal, in other words I can do anything because God has forgiven my sins of future.

The article talks about, believing in God's words as Abraham did and then following the commands. Jesus also said that same thing:

Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him (John 14:23)"

This verse clearly says that we have to follow the commands of Jesus Christ and the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation is command of Jesus Christ.

The Bible says that He that knew no sin was made sin so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.

I believe that we are justified before Heavenly Father through the blood of Jesus Christ, because the blood of Jesus Christ covers our wickedness. However, it does not mean that I live in sin. Once I have repented, it means that I have to stop living in sin.

How can I stop living in sin? The Bible gives us a guideline to recognize and understand, what is sin and what is good. Bible tells us that Lust is a sin equal to adultery. If I keep on living in my lustful desires, even though I believe in Jesus as my LORD and Savior, will I be following God or satan?

God bless you

Chris Tue 29 Jan 2008, 3:37 am

Brother, I do want you to understand that I do believe that we are both seeking the same thing and that is a closer walk with the Lord Jesus Christ and not only for ourselves but also for those we love. The only difference that we have is the way in which we believe we become righteous.
I do believe that the law in its character has absolutely no flaws it is perfect in every way. But as I am sure you would agree the problem with the law is the inability of man to ever fulfill the law. It is not my belief that after we are saved that it is ok for us to live in sin. In fact I believe that the more we learn and receive the fact that everything about our righteousness is in Jesus and has absolutely nothing to do with my actions the more it drives me to serve him.
The problem that I have with people constantly preaching the law is that most people who are living in sin already know that the lives that they are living are not pleasing before God. But as preachers of the word people do not need more condemnation which is brought by the law people need a solution to their sin problem and that solution is Jesus Christ. As we continue to demand upon people the law of God we take away from the finished work of Christ at Calvary. The last words that Jesus ever spoke on the cross was "It is Finished" when He said this it meant that he had completed the final sacrfice that would ever be needed for sin if people would just receive him.
Finally I would like to bring one scripture to mind Romans 6:10-11 "For in that he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Now think about this did Jesus die unto sin in his character? No, because Jesus knew no sin. Jesus did however die unto the imputation of sin and the punishment of sin. He took our punishment, and all of our sin was placed on that cross and crucified with him. Now in verse 11 we find that the scripture says that likewise we should die the same way Jesus did. Now we are not ever going to be completely perfect in our character but when Jesus blood cleanses us we are dead to the imputation of sin and the punishment of that sin.
Please I would not want anybody to misunderstand, it is very clear that we are not to sin at will Paul makes that very clear. We just need to understand that it is not the law that makes us righteous. Righteousness comes in the form of a person and the Grace that he brings and his name is Jesus.
God Bless You,
Chris

forhisglory Thu 31 Jan 2008, 5:14 am

Thank you Daniel I believe with you 100% .May Our Lord bless; your whole household, not many will receive this kind of teaching. Like I have written in my other letter, it is only because they want to make God to be conform; to their way of thinking. But the scripture is right there for all to reed be Holy for I am Holy. And do not add anything else to it.
Hi Chris, this is what you said.
Please study this even closer because we can not mix Grace with the Law it has to be one
way or the other.
May God Richly Bless You in Christ Name.
I do not agree with you, because you twist the word of God to fit your way of living. You cannot put God into your box. God never changes and nothing that does evil will inherit His Kingdom. You will grave unto a few sciptures to make them say what you want to believe they say. But here it is God is not two ways you just do not know how to interpret the word of God right. Did you read from Genesis- -Revelation, well what is God’s pattern always dealing with backsliders, and the punishment is Turn or burn. I am not surprise to hear this from you and thousands like you, who believe in the once save always saved. This is happening because some preachers teach this and preach this. You say God is only one way Okay you said a mouthful, and you are 100% right now go reed Revelation 1-2 chapters, who is Jesus talking to, and what is he telling you? We are the church, you need to get out of that church, and get into one who tells you to be holy, to forsake the worlds goods, so your eyes can see. As long as you keep one foot in the church, and the other in the world your eyes will be close, because you love the pleasures of this world more than what God wants to give you in exchange. I thank you for giving your sincere opinion, and we are here to expose the works of Satan if you really are a child of the most high God, you will dig deeper into all that Daniel wrote en all the verses that Servant posted concerning this subject. forhisglory

**Waqar Daniel** Thu 31 Jan 2008, 7:16 pm

Thank you "forhisglory" for your kind remarks and your blessings. God is so kind to me that people whom I have never met, and have never seen bless me. Really I am thankful to God and I pray the same for you and for your family.

He (Jesus) called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (Mathew 10:1)

Guess what? Judas Iscariot was among the twelve who was given power and authority of the Holy Spirit to heal the scik and drive out demons. If "once saved always saved" policy is true and Biblical then why did Judas fall down? Why David have to beg for pardon for three days and three nights? Why did King Solomon sinned against God?

The answer is simple, we all face the same question that Eve faced, "Did God really say that...?" Satan always tries to deceive us with lots of false teaching covering with some truth so that it may seem true to many.

God bless you all to be a blessing to others

**baby_blue4u** Sun 07 Jun 2009, 5:46 pm

Hi people i read this article on the righteouness of God . I would just like to comment no one! no one can ever be made righteouss if its not for Jesus for there are many people claiming to be christians reading there bibles everyday reading the scriptures and quoting them as well but there end is death for there hearts are far away from God. It is not just enough to know about Jesus and what He did the difference is to take to heart what He said and to make that your own believing with all you have in His word and what He did on the cross that is what makes you righteouss in God sight. Not how good your works are or that you are a good person. ITs all about submission to Jesus and to His word and His teachings.

Look at the pharisees they obeyed the law of Moses but when the Son of God appeared to them they did not even recognise who He was. I am not saying that we shouldnt obey the law for those who love God obeys the law for if not that is lawlesness and Jesus himself hates lawlessness so we cant say that we follow Him if we dont obey the law. But we are made righteous because of Jesus because he bore our sins and took our infirmaties on Him. After being saved the Holy Spirit of God begins to change you from the inside out making you walk in righteouness. For we all know that is not just enough to say Lord forgive me my sins and then thnking that you are saved. NO! you have to work out your salvation. For those who say they are saved but still walks in darkness are lieing to themselves.. God's grace makes us able to walk with Jesus every day to become more like Him day by day.

Informer Tue 01 Feb 2011, 4:09 pm

I would also include (Rom 10:3) which also warns us not to go about attempting to establish our own version of what is right, but to submit ourselves to the righteousness which is of God only. We may accomplish this by (2 Cor 10:5), but it takes a sincere effort by us continually, lest we be distracted by the world.