...THAT WE LOVE HIM?
Among other things...we "pursue righteousness".
When I think of righteousness, I think of Jesus. I think of His complete allegiance to God and Scripture--the words He used to overcome temptation in the wilderness..."it is written".
I think of how pure Jesus thought, how focused He was on His Father's will, how obedient He was to His Father's purpose and plan. I consider how he rebuked those who lived in hypocrisy--like "white-washed tombs"--those preaching and teaching one thing, yet doing another. I see His kindness to the children, His gentleness towards Mary, His compassion with the woman who touched His robe, and His forgiveness for the adulterous woman, His concern for Zaccheus, His love for Peter in light of betrayal. I think of devotion to prayer and communion with His Father early in the morning, before a day intrudes upon His life and demands its way with Him. I think of His boldness to speak the truth. These are the righteous things of God. And for those who pursue these things, God loves.
"The way of the wicked is an abomination, extremely disgusting and shamefully vile to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness [spiritual and moral rectitude in every area and relation]." Proverbs 15:9 Amplified. Emphasis mine.
"[spiritual and moral rectitude in every area and relation]"
That covers a broad territory of things, don't you think? It is a short, but profound, definition of the kind of "righteousness" required as noble for pursuit, isn't it? Each Believer is under the grace of God, and is made righteous in His sight and set apart for His glory. Yet, is it each Believer's desire to pursue the righteousness of our Lord's example? Or is it our desire to be one action better than the next person in the pulpit or pew? Or to admonish another for some perceived flaw and failure?
Do we even care about the pursuit of righteousness for ourselves, or are we too busy to notice the log in our own eye for our preoccupation with the specks in a brother's or sister's eyes?
Yes, I know none of us are righteous...not one. Our righteousness is in Christ alone. And in my pursuit of righteousness, I often find myself very far afield of all Christ is. It is in those moments when I see my full-blown inadequacy to be all He is, that I see how very much He loves me--to have given His life to make me righteous and make me an heir of His kingdom. What a loving God we serve! What an amazing Savior! selahV
