Strong (Dictionary): Having or marked by great physical power, having moral or intellectual power; having great resources (as of wealth or talent).
Strong (Bible): Strong, mighty; solid; firm; steadfast; to strengthen; in good health.
The Bible has much to say about righteousness.
Psalm 4:5: 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord. (NKJV).
This Scripture really jumped out at me. We are urged by King David to enter into a position of total trust in the Lord. To do this,we must be in submission to the Lord’s will and under the anointing of the Holy Spirit.. This includes sacrificing any God given righteousness! What makes this so wonderful is the fact that all righteousness comes directly from God. It is His righteousness and He is looking for our commitment to offer sacrifices within that righteousness. God is eternal and is seeking those with eternal actions!
Ephesians 6:14: 14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness...(NASB)
The breastplate of His righteousness covers our heart. It is God Himself touching us. He fills us with His love and guiding us to offer sacrifices of peace and love within His righteousness. He is truly guarding our heart!
Job asked a great question about righteousness:
Job 9:1-2: 2 Yes, I know all this is true in principle. But how can a person be declared innocent in God’s sight? (NLT)
Job knew that God was righteous and holy. He also felt that there was no mediator between a holy God and himself:
Job 10:33: 33 If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. (NLT)
Many people have asked this same question! He knew that having judgmental friends was not what he needed. Job knew all too well that like us, he was a sinner in need of forgiveness. He wanted someone to seek God on his behalf. And that mediator certainly wasn’t his supposed three “friends!”
But praise God we have been granted complete access to THE mediator. His name is Jesus! And He does not come to judge or discourage. He comes to make a way to the Father!
Paul talks about righteousness:
Romans 10:8-11: 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” (NKJV)
I recall talking with an elderly woman who was ill and facing eternity. After hearing the gospel she said she had led such a sinful life there was no hope for her and no forgiveness. She was sure that God would never forgive her. I walked away in sadness. The experience touched my heart and I only hope she sought Jesus before she died. It reinforced the fact that there are people living under terrible condemnation. But Jesus takes us where we are at and radically changes our life. He is all about forgiving us!
Through His abundant righteousness God looks for us to touch those in desperate situations and those who need a Savior. We offer our God given righteousness by revealing that hope and forgiveness are found in Jesus Christ. We “sacrifice righteousness” as we bring words and deeds of comfort to those in need.
In Ephesians 6:14, Paul encourages us to stand firm and to wear the breastplate of righteousness. The word “firm” means to “stand ready or to be prepared.” But, we must stand firm and be prepared for the battles we will face. The word “firm” means to “stand ready or to be prepared.” It is a picture of a soldier prepared for war As we face the world each day let us walk as He walked. His righteousness will empower us to touch lives.
1 John 3:28-29: 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. 29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. (NKJV)
When light streams through a window pane
Warming the floor or rug,
I feel warmth inside as well,
By the Spirits heartfelt tug.
It reminds me that tis plain to see,
A sacrifice of love
Has been granted me
His righteousness from above.
