I perceive that righteousness is declining in popularity and that the culture would like to embrace Gods love without embracing His righteousness. Righteousness can be defined as actions provoked by faith in God. Gods word gives great description and definition of actions and attitudes of the heart that please God including the law of Moses and the teachings of Jesus. There is great description of how to behave and think righteously and also what actions and attitudes characterize wickedness, foolishness and evil. Just as it is true that Gods love cannot be earned or manipulated and does not go away, it is also true that God blesses righteous actions and punishes sinful actions. Gods love is not lessened by His punishment of sin - it is actually demonstrated by His correction. Any thought that says that God will permit, allow, sanction or affirm sinful deeds and attitudes because of His love is erroneous and speaks a profound misunderstanding of Gods character. Isaiah 51:7-8 speaks to this: Listen to Me, you who know righteousness, A people in whose heart is My law; Do not fear the reproach of man, Nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them like a garment, And the grub will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation to all generations. Gods nature is unchanging. He has declared that His expectations of our actions are not evolving. Rather than attempt to contrive who God is based on what man says is acceptable, we who fear the Lord will shape our actions and attitudes to what God says is acceptable.
Posted on: Fri, 11 Apr 2014 12:55:17 +0000