Young Adults' Group

The Wisdom Of Being Righteous

by Pastor Mark
June 19, 2025

Understanding righteousness

It is wise for us to gain a better understanding of the concept of righteousness. Two aspects of righteousness help us comprehend what it is. Firstly, there is imputed righteousness. When we believe in the Lord Jesus, we are justified by His grace through His redemption. We are saved by His blood and stand righteous before God (Romans 3:24).

Another aspect is personal righteousness, which refers to cultivating righteousness as a way of life. Our faith in God causes us to make righteousness part of our character and lifestyle. Solomon sought to emphasise this aspect of personal righteousness through his proverbs. Let us be wise and make righteousness much more part of our lives.

Righteousness in contrast to wickedness

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.” (Proverbs 10:2)

1. One way to understand righteousness is to contrast it with wickedness.
2. Personal wickedness is the exact opposite of personal righteousness.
3. Those who are wicked
   1. They seek to obtain wealth and treasures through wicked and illegitimate means.
   2. There is nothing wrong with obtaining wealth.
   3. But the treasures of wickedness are seen as ill-gotten gains.
   4. All such treasures will not profit the wicked, as they would have to account for them.
4. Those who are righteous
   1. While they may not have the physical wealth others have, they have the Lord’s assurance instead.
   2. The Lord will deliver them from danger, even death.
   3. Walking in righteousness would make all the difference for the safety of our lives.

The Lord’s provision for the righteous

“The Lord will not allow the righteous soul to famish, but He casts away the desire of the wicked.” (Proverbs 10:3)

1. The Lord will provide for the needs of the righteous and not allow them to be famished.
2. But the righteous would also have to do their part (Proverbs 10:4–5).
   1. They are to be diligent and not have a slack hand.
   2. They are wise to work hard in gathering food during the summer and not sleep during the harvest.
3. In contrast, the Lord would not provide for the wicked but cast away their desires and needs.

The Lord’s blessing on the righteous

“Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.”

(Proverbs 10:6) The righteous will experience the Lord’s abundant blessings. He will pour His rich blessings upon them. One such blessing is that they will be specially remembered. The memory of them and their name is considered blessed (Proverbs 10:7). This contrasts with the wicked, who are characterised by violence. They speak violently. Their reputation and name are seen as rotten and evil. Let us be challenged to live a life of righteousness. Let us not be content with having imputed righteousness. Let us be challenged to cultivate personal righteousness in character and lifestyle so that we may see the Lord’s blessings of His deliverance, provision and abundance in our lives.

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