Righteous Before God

Luke 1:5-6 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (6) And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 

As Luke opens up his gospel, he begins by presenting to us the family background of John the Baptist.  We are introduced to John’s parents Zacharias and Elizabeth.  Like Mary, the mother of Jesus, they were chosen to care for this very special servant of God due to their faithfulness.  In verse 6, we are told that Zacharias and Elisabeth are Righteous before God.

So what does it mean to be righteous?  Is righteousness really critical to our salvation?  How can we be righteous?  

First let’s understand that being righteous is necessary for having a relationship with God and ultimately gaining the reward of Heaven.

1 John 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother. 

2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 

Clearly, being righteous is absolutely essential.  John tells us that if we do not the righteousness that God desires, then we are NOT of God.  So how are we able to be righteous?

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Romans 5:18-19 Therefore as by the offense of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (19) For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Here we are told two very important pieces of information.  First, man is incapable of being righteous ON OUR OWN!  Righteousness is NOT anything that we have individually done!  We cannot avoid enough sin ON OUR OWN.  We cannot do enough good deeds ON OUR OWN.  We cannot do a combination of the two ON OUR OWN to be pleasing to God.  So why try right?  Because Paul tells the Romans that through the sacrifice of Jesus, we can be MADE Righteous!  So if we are made righteous, is there any sense of us trying?  Absolutely!  Once made righteous by the purifying blood of Jesus, we MUST continue living in a manner that reflects our new persona!

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 

1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. 

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

The bible unequivocally informs us that we must live a manner that is befitting the gift that God gave us when he made us righteous.  There are two keys given here in our quest to Live righteously.  We are to: 1.  refrain from sin and we are 2.  to be obedient to the wishes and commands of God.  As a matter of fact, obedience was the one characteristic of Zacharias and Elisabeth was noted as proof of their righteousness.

Luke 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

So how do we know HOW to live?  What must we do?  What must we NOT do?

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

The scriptures that God gave to us through inspiration are the instructions that we need to live the righteous life that God desires of us.  Let us a seek out God’s will for our lives in his word and strive daily to live a RIGHTEOUS life!