Righteousness

“In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.” ( Isaiah 61:3 NLT)

There are certain words in the Bible that make me uncomfortable. For example, the word righteousness may have been considered positive a few centuries ago, but now it is associated with being ‘self-righteous’ and judgmental. How did this happen? How did what was once considered a virtue become a vice?

This reminds me of a story about Rev. Billy Graham who is well-known for his integrity and faith. A man who played golf with Graham accused him of being preachy and religious. When asked for details, the man admitted that Billy Graham had not said anything to him about religion or Jesus--but just his presence had made the golfer feel judged.

A righteous person is someone who does the right thing--someone who stands for justice, integrity, and fairness. Just like a person who is filthy feels self-conscious around a clean person, or a drunk person feels judged by a sober person, a person who holds themselves accountable to high moral standards may make others uncomfortable.

Living with integrity may not make you popular. Others may feel judged by your presence. Do the right thing anyway. Make good choices. Hold yourself accountable. Admit when you make mistakes. But remember that God calls you to behave righteously--NOT to have a self-righteous attitude.

Righteousness reflects God’s character. The Lord’s standards are so high that we cannot meet them on our own. In humility and trust, we must rely on Jesus to cultivate goodness within us. In His power, we can be virtuous. A giant oak that has a towering canopy of branches and leaves also has a deep root system that is underground. True righteousness is not just what others see. It involves a deeply rooted faith that comes from consciously depending on Christ.

“The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.” (Isaiah 61:11 NLT)