A Regular Practice of Righteousness
There was once a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless -- a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants, He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.
Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended -- sometimes after several days -- Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice. Job 1:1-5.
Job's sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended -- sometimes after several days -- Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said, "Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts." This was Job's regular practice. Job 1:1-5.
The story of Job is certainly one of the most captivating in all of Scripture. It causes us to grapple with the age-old issue:"Why do the righteous suffer?" Why do men and women who give faithfully to God sometimes encounter very difficult situations in life? Why would God allow that to happen? Where is their promised"divine protection?" Does God"forsake" them? Is their righteous living worth it after all? Can we make any sense out of it at all?
Job was "totally" righteous. He is described as "blameless -- a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil" Job was so righteous that the Bible says he offered burnt offerings to petition God to forgive any sins his"partying" children may have committed. Job was so righteous that he practiced this regularly. He wanted to maintain an unblemished relationship with God. His life could be summarized as "a regular practice of righteousness."
Scripture is big on righteous living. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that those who are persecuted for righteousness will inherit the Kingdom of God. In 2 Timothy 2, Paul encourages the young Pastor Timothy to flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness.
So what is the big deal about righteousness or holiness? Scripture makes it clear that without holiness or righteousness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). For that reason, the Bible enjoins us to make every effort to live holy lives. So, what if our lives could be characterized by "a regular practice of righteousness"; not as an effort at checking off "dos" and "don'ts" but rather as an innate part of who we are as followers of Jesus?
Job was a man of complete integrity. Can you be so described? Deep down your heart, are you comfortable with the way you conduct your daily life?
May your life be characterized by a regular practice of righteousness because that is what your Heavenly Father expects of you. Righteousness brings pleasure to His heart and access to His throne through the blood of Jesus. Resolve to live righteously, temptations notwithstanding.
Job was "totally" righteous. He is described as "blameless -- a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil" Job was so righteous that the Bible says he offered burnt offerings to petition God to forgive any sins his"partying" children may have committed. Job was so righteous that he practiced this regularly. He wanted to maintain an unblemished relationship with God. His life could be summarized as "a regular practice of righteousness."
Scripture is big on righteous living. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that those who are persecuted for righteousness will inherit the Kingdom of God. In 2 Timothy 2, Paul encourages the young Pastor Timothy to flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness.
So what is the big deal about righteousness or holiness? Scripture makes it clear that without holiness or righteousness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). For that reason, the Bible enjoins us to make every effort to live holy lives. So, what if our lives could be characterized by "a regular practice of righteousness"; not as an effort at checking off "dos" and "don'ts" but rather as an innate part of who we are as followers of Jesus?
Job was a man of complete integrity. Can you be so described? Deep down your heart, are you comfortable with the way you conduct your daily life?
May your life be characterized by a regular practice of righteousness because that is what your Heavenly Father expects of you. Righteousness brings pleasure to His heart and access to His throne through the blood of Jesus. Resolve to live righteously, temptations notwithstanding.
Prayer: Father, I thank you for the imputed righteousness I have because of the righteousness of Jesus. Please help me to live out that righteousness in my daily life. Amen