2 Corinthians 5:21 | NKJV (21) For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
To be righteous means you are right with God, made right to God’s standard, innocent, justified
This is what will happen when you seek after walking uprightly – fulfilling what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33.
Matthew 6:33 | AMPC (33) But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
We need to learn God’s ways, more than we need to learn God’s rules.
Ways – a road, a course of life, mode of action, method of operation.
What does it look like to walk in God’s way of doing and being right?
Psalms 15:1-2 | NKJV (1) LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? (2) He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;
- Walk uprightly
- Do works of righteousness
- Speak the truth from our heart
The three things that we are TO DO can be said very simply: your walk, your work, and your words.
When we are speaking about our walk, our works and our words, that is pretty much the sum total of our lives. God wants us to walk uprightly in all of these areas.
- Walking upright means simply to stop sinning.
Jesus did not die just to save us from sins but to also to save us from sinning.
- Do works of righteousness.
- He speaks the truth in his heart.
Three Things NOT To DO:
Psalms 15:3 | NKJV (3) He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
The person that God blesses is the one that does not do these three things:
- Does not backbite with his tongue
Someone who backbites with their tongue is someone who says one thing to your face and something else behind your back.
Proverbs 6:19 | NKJV (19) A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
Backbiting is an abomination to God. God hates this.
Although this happens to all of us, we have to come to the place where we understand that God will protect us and if necessary, vindicate us.
What we need to do is forgive and let it go and let God handle the payback part.
Jesus did not say for us to go into the world and try to defend ourselves. We have to let God handle that. We have much more important things that we need to be doing.
Isaiah 54:17 | NKJV (17) No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the LORD.
God has promised that He would watch over us and one day at His doing you will be able to condemn the tongue that rises against you.
Notice that this verse says that the weapon may be formed but it will not prosper. (to succeed or be victorious)
We do not have to worry about the weapon formed and let God handle it. NO weapon formed against you will prosper. Leave the revenge up to God.
- Does not do evil to his neighbor.
This goes a step further than just gossip or backbiting. It is trying to expose your neighbor for what you believe him to be.
Again, you are going about trying to handle God’s business.
Romans 12:19-21 | NKJV (19) Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord. (20) Therefore “IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM; IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP COALS OF FIRE ON HIS HEAD.” (21) Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The thing that you and I must always remember is that we do not have all the facts. We are better off to let God, Who does know everything to handle it and expose them, if He so chooses.
We are always better off if we extend mercy and grace to someone and walk in forgiveness than try and expose the wrongs of everyone especially other Christians.
Remember, always overcome evil with good. You will always come out on top that way because that way God is able to cover and protect you and then deal with the other people.
Getting even should be left in the hands of God.
You will never make your candle burn brighter by blowing someone else’s out.
- Does not take up a reproach against his neighbor.
To take up a reproach against your neighbor means to repeat or carry damaging, critical, or judgmental talk about them, rather than acting with integrity, kindness, and respect
This can take on the form of:
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- Gossip and slander
- Spreading shame
- Unkind Judgment
- Lack of respect
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This is especially true with “prayer requests”.
Romans 12:16-18 | AMPC (16) Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty (snobbish, high-minded, exclusive), but readily adjust yourself to [people, things] and give yourselves to humble tasks. Never overestimate yourself or be wise in your own conceits. [Prov. 3:7.] (17) Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is honest and proper and noble [aiming to be above reproach] in the sight of everyone. [Prov. 20:22.] (18) If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.