The World, Wrong About Righteousness

What does it all mean?

Sometimes we overcomplicate it.

Righteousness is a big word. But it simply refers to that which is right. What is right? The way things should be. Right?

But for those who believe, it is a righteousness according to God. Sometimes what seems right actually isn’t.

Another word, deeply biblical and pretty much the same, is justice. Righteousness is about justice. And vice versa.

The religious authority into which Jesus came into being and presence had understandings of righteousness. But Jesus’ teaching and example differed. If not completely in word, certainly in practice.

Just because an authority declares something to be right, does not mean that it is (within the Kingdom of God). So how do we know?

Look toward Jesus. Look at Jesus. Defer to him.

Maybe that doesn’t answer all the specifics of all our questions (it doesn’t). But it certainly gives us a posture toward the world.

John 16:1-11

I have said these things to you so that you won’t fall away. They will expel you from the synagogue. The time is coming when those who kill you will think that they are doing a service to God. They will do these things because they don’t know the Father or me. But I have said these things to you so that when their time comes, you will remember that I told you about them.

“I didn’t say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I go away to the one who sent me. None of you ask me, ‘Where are you going?’ Yet because I have said these things to you, you are filled with sorrow. I assure you that it is better for you that I go away. If I don’t go away, the Companion won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will show the world it was wrong about sin, righteousness, and judgment. He will show the world it was wrong about sin because they don’t believe in me. He will show the world it was wrong about righteousness because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore. He will show the world it was wrong about judgment because this world’s ruler stands condemned.

Prayer

God,

Help me know your righteousness in Jesus Christ. Show me your justice. I want to understand it in the specifics of the context of my life. With my partner, with my children, with my parents, with my neighbor…with those with whom I disagree. With those I find deplorable. With those I don’t even think about at all.

Show me your justice, that I might live it in all decisions, in all ways.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.