What is Righteousness?

At first glance, the question, "What is righteousness?" may appear deceptively simple. Yet, beneath the surface lies an answer demanding deep contemplation. Much like our instinctual understanding of everyday phenomena, our preconceived notions of "righteousness" can cloud our comprehension of its true essence within in the Bible.

To unravel the concept of “righteousness,” we turn to the Bible, which gives insight into its nature. Consider these verses: "He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment" (Psalm 72:2); "Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep" (Psalm 36:6); "In thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness" (Psalm 143:1); and "The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen" (Psalm 98:2).

These passages link “righteousness” with judgment, faithfulness, and salvation. It is clear that “righteousness,” according to the Bible, is not merely a static quality but an active manifestation of the living God’s character. This act serves as a cornerstone of the Bible’s philosophy, encapsulated in the profound truth of "the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man" (Titus 3:4).

The living God has a noble intention for our devotional conversation, yet our understanding of this intention often becomes muddied by traditional religious interpretations. This divergence can provoke discomfort, particularly when we confront the notion that the living God’s kindness may not be directed at humanity in the conventional sense. As articulated in John 4:24, "God is a Spirit," and, consequently, the beneficiaries of this Spirit’s kindness are aligned with the spiritual body rather than the physical.

This revelation invites us to reflect on the transformative potential of "righteousness," which urges one to "be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Ephesians 4:23), encouraging a deeper engagement with the kindness of the Bible’s words, which kindness transcends mere human experience.

By examining the connections between righteousness, judgment, and salvation, we gain clarity. Righteousness emerges as a term that encapsulates an act—an act realized through a benevolent judgment and intended salvation. In Isaiah 51:4, we see, "A law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people." Here, “judgment” is framed as a guiding light, illuminating the path toward understanding “righteousness” as a useful inward experience.

In John 9:39, we encounter a pivotal moment: "For judgment I am come into this world." This declaration is not a self-centered assertion but a profound acknowledgment of the illuminating power of this useful experience. It echoes the message of Isaiah %1:4, reinforcing that the "light" proclaimed is indeed a judgment of the living God, resonating with the fact that "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21).

So, why does this exploration of righteousness matter? It matters because it compels us to care for our faith's condition in alignment with the Bible’s intentions. When we embrace the kindness found within the Bible’s words, we open ourselves to experiencing “righteousness.” This kindness nurtures the well-being of our devotional character, guiding our interactions with ourselves and others.

By actively and positively internalizing the Bible’s words, we cultivate an environment where compassion flourishes. When we truly grasp the nature of its kindness, we not only treat ourselves with greater care and understanding, but we also extend that kindness outward, exemplifying the intended “righteousness.”

Learning about and demonstrating the Bible’s “righteousness” invites us to embark on a philosophical journey that transcends everything. Herein we are called to reflect on how the Bible’s words shape the existence of our devotional conversation. The goal is a transformative awakening—one that aligns our hearts and minds with the profound love of our conversation’s Creator. In doing so, we become vessels of “righteousness,” radiating intelligent light and kindness within a world that yearns for both.

Love: The Highest Form of Intelligence and Growth

Love is more than just a feeling—it's a gateway to higher intelligence. When we practice love, we cultivate emotional and spiritual growth. In contrast, hatred drags us into a state of ignorance and self-destruction.

But what exactly is "hate"? Leviticus 19:17 gives us insight: "Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him." In simple terms, hate involves standing by while others harm themselves—mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

When you hate, you allow others to continue destructive behaviors without offering help or guidance. Instead of encouraging growth or positive change, you let someone deteriorate in their unhealthy thoughts and actions. This inaction is a form of neglect, even spiritual harm.

The Bible teaches that "the strength of sin is the law" (1 Corinthians 15:56). The religious laws of Moses represented a rigid code of conduct, which—if misinterpreted—could lead to self-condemnation and judgment. Galatians 3:11 reminds us, "No man is justified by the law in the sight of God." Thus, hate can manifest as allowing others to suffer under outdated or unhealthy mental and emotional "laws" they've created for themselves, or follow within the religious world.

When you allow someone to continue on a destructive path, you’re essentially letting them destroy their own self-worth and spiritual health. This is the ultimate form of hatred—not helping them break free from their self-imposed limitations.

In contrast, love is about building up and supporting others. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:9, "Ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another." This is reinforced in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Comfort yourselves together, and edify one another."

To love someone is to lift them up, edify their mind, and help them recognize their true value. Love is the act of showing others the path away from self-destruction and toward self-discovery.

When we love, we challenge ourselves to grow by helping others. We increase in personal understanding, discipline, and wisdom. Love forces us to confront our own emotions and experiences, making us more effective in uplifting others.

Loving others isn’t just about them—it’s also about your own growth. As you empathize and help others through their struggles, you deepen your own understanding of life's challenges and how to overcome them. Love is a reminder of where we've been and where we're going.

When you love, you're practicing self-awareness and emotional intelligence. You're making conscious decisions that enhance both your life and the lives of those around you. Love leads to understanding and unity, while hate results in division and loss.

True love doesn't come with expectations or fears. When we love authentically, we enrich our own lives and contribute positively to the world around us. Love leads to clarity of purpose, while hate clouds judgment and leads to misunderstanding.

In the end, the message is simple: just love. Love leads to personal growth, deeper understanding, and a positive influence on those around us. It helps you erase negative patterns and replace them with wisdom. Love is the ultimate key to unlocking your true potential and helping others do the same.

If you're seeking clarity, peace, and purpose, start with love. By doing so, you'll gain personal and devotional growth that not only enhances your life, but also the lives of everyone you encounter.

Renew Your Mind And Sing

"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD." Psalm 104:33-34

When life seems empty, and nothing positive comes to mind, let the praise of the living God become your song. What is this praise? Psalm 105:1 teaches us: "Give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name," and Psalm 105:3 adds, "Glory ye in his holy name." But this is more than simple gratitude. Psalm 103:3-5 reminds us of a deeper work: "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies."

The living God's "praise" is not an act of worship; it is the very essence of the living God’s "name" – a benevolent character that offers healing, restoration, and renewal. Yet, we must understand that this "name" is not a physical attribute, as its nature transcends the material world: "God is a Spirit" (John 4:24), and "a spirit hath not flesh and bones" (Luke 24:39). What we are given by the living God, therefore, is spiritual – intended for the mind, not the flesh, reminding us that "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). The renewing of our mind, as Paul counsels, is central to understanding this, because the saying, "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind" (Ephesians 4:23), reveals that our transformation starts within.

This praise is not about religious observance but rather about living in alignment with the Bible’s spiritual wisdom. In the Bible, this "name" is often synonymous with a "faith" or understanding, as it says, "Thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith" (Revelation 2:3). To praise the living God’s name is to embrace that “name’s” will and wisdom in our personal and devotional life, moving beyond ritual to inward renewal.

In this freedom, our minds are opened to the true "praise" of God – not merely in words, but in a complete transformation of our inner self. As we allow the Bible’s words to dwell richly within us, the devotional experience becomes a reflection of its grace and wisdom. This is the essence of true worship – not really in literal song, but in the very fabric of our being, which is why it says, “The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23).

To sing that “praise,” then, is not an external act but an internal state of being. It is a heart and mind united in the Bible’s truth and wisdom, continually renewing and transforming. Each day is an opportunity for us to learn more about ourselves and the Bible’s will, and through this knowledge, to better serve and edify those around us. The living God's praise is a process of self-discovery, and through this process, we discover our purpose – to love, to serve, and to grow.

Even when life feels negative, we must remember that all things are working to recover and restore our mind and heart, introducing us to a higher understanding of ourselves and our world. The Bible desires to cleanse our devotional conscience, freeing us from the burdens we have inherited or cultivated ourselves. This is not just for our own well-being but for the benefit of those around us: "The end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart" (1 Timothy 1:5).

So, let every day be a celebration of this renewal – a chance to think differently, to feel more deeply, and to live more fully. Let our hearts sing not with an audible tune, but with the quiet confidence of knowing that we are being transformed by the living God's fact. Each breath we take is a testament to this faith in us, and in return, we should strive to live up to that understanding, seeking the living God’s “name” and praising it through our thoughts, words, and actions.

In this way, we become part of the greater song – a symphony of renewal, hope, and wisdom that carries us, and those we love, ever closer to the living God’s heart.