He took him outside and said, "Look up at the
sky and count the stars — if indeed you can
count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your
offspring be.
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:5-6
We all learn new lessons every day.
The question of righteousness has exercised the minds of many since time immemorial.
We all have views about righteousness, especially relating to how to attain it. Some people
are actively doing certain things to become righteous, working for it, trying
to earn it.
But let’s take a step back and try to answer a very important question, which goes, “What can I do to be righteous?” What do you think you should do to become righteous or to live righteously?
It’s a fascinating question, and probably a complex one for some.
You must be righteous. You must live a righteous life. You must strive for it. The elephant in the room is: 'how does one live righteously?'.
We normally prefer the hard way, which in this case won’t generate the result that we require.
The simple answer is that you do not need physical work to become righteous. Righteousness is not earned but credited or imputed.
The opening Bible verse states that God credited righteousness to Abram. Why was it credited to him? It was because Abram took a very simple attitude and approach, something that did not involve expending energy as in digging trenches and lifting heavy loads. Abram simply believed God, and the rest is history!
It’s a decision that you can make right away, to believe God whatever the circumstances, no matter how the situation might appear.
Now consider this: God told Abram that his offspring shall be as numerous as the stars. If it were Mr. Dick who had received this promise, he probably would have discounted it immediately. “As numerous as the stars? That is just not possible under these circumstances!” Mr. Dick would probably have exclaimed.
We talk of the righteousness of God from God. It involves two things namely believing in Him and believing Him at every turn. It’s a gift, not a reward. The Lord died for those who did not deserve a reward.
So, sit back, relax, and put your trust in Him!
Paul, referring to this righteousness, said, “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Romans 3:22
But there is another kind of righteousness. It’s called self-righteousness and one gets it by crediting or imputing it to themselves. It normally relates to people engaged in some rigorous activity by which they think they can become righteous. This also tends to be an arrogant type of righteousness, like, “You see, I am extraordinary, I got this by myself!”
Believe in God. Believe Him always. Way to go!
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