5 Everyday Ways to Pursue God’s Righteousness

"He loves him who follows righteousness." Proverbs 15:9

"He loves him who follows righteousness." Proverbs 15:9
5 Everyday Ways to Pursue God's Righteousness by Steppes of Faith

“…But He loves him who follows righteousness.” Proverbs 15:9

I try to read my devotions every day or as often as I can (because life can get crazy, right?). Devotions keep me on track spiritually and deepen my faith. So, not long ago. I was reading a certain devotion that reminded me of how we  ̶  when we accept Christ into our hearts  ̶  become the righteousness of God. Then, we are to continue pursuing righteousness (Proverbs 15:9).

I started wondering, what does it mean to pursue righteousness? What does that look like? I ask because there seems to be some confusion. If our righteousness can only come from Jesus, what is there to pursue? How can we pursue something that only belongs to Him?

It turns out (you guessed it) the Bible details how we are supposed to pursue righteousness so we can perfect our faith. But, first we need to know where righteousness begins.

Righteousness Belongs to Jesus

For years, the Israelites kept a hope alive that God would one day send someone to redeem them from sin. Unfortunately, many of them are still waiting. But for those who have accepted Jesus as the promised Christ, we have a new hope based in His righteousness that covers our sin.

Our righteousness begins with understanding that we are not pleasing to God because of our sin. Isaiah 64: 6 says,

“We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment.”

We are not worthy to stand in God’s presence. His holiness and perfection cannot tolerate sin, plain and simple. Our incurable sin nature requires a Redeemer who can justify us and cover our sin with holy righteousness so that the Father will accept us. Jesus is our Redeemer and the only one who can do this.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

“The Lord is our righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:6

Jesus freely offers us justification and His righteousness when we experience His saving grace. Without Jesus, God cannot accept us. We are still filthy rags. So, it’s important to receive Jesus’ righteousness. After then, it’s up to us to keep working it by desiring holiness above all else and pursuing a Christ-like character.

Pursuing righteousness means we become a “work in progress.” It’s perfected over time through our obedience to Him, and it slowly reveals itself as evidence of our faith. We work at it every day with the goal of seeing its true perfection one beautiful day when we see Jesus in person.

Growing Closer to Him

We can’t pursue righteousness alone. We need the Lord’s help. Here are five everyday ways you and the Lord can work out your righteousness so you grow closer in your relationship.

Seek His Presence

Working out, whether spiritually or physically, requires showing up. Not showing up means nothing gets done, which is why we need to seek the Lord’s presence every day. Reading His words and spending time talking to Him are basic ways to pursue righteousness. You’ve been told this advice countless times, no doubt, but it bears repeating if we are serious about growing closer to Him

Walk in the Spirit

In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul details the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The Holy Spirit guides and convicts us to practice these attributes every day so we bear good fruit (do what is good for us and those around us) and demonstrate our pursuit of righteousness to others.

Good fruit grows more good fruit. Our choices affect the people around us. Walking in the Spirit not only deepens our relationship with God, it encourages others in their pursuits too. Don’t forget, we’re all in this together.

Invite Wisdom

God places great value on wisdom, so much that He wants you to specifically ask for it. Here are a few scripture verses to consider.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

“Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with a gentleness that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13

“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.” Proverbs 8:12

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5

It’s not on Paul’s list of spiritual fruit, but I believe seeking godly wisdom is evidence of righteousness. Wisdom might be useful for everyday types of situations, but godly wisdom is on a whole other level. Godly wisdom involves a deeper knowledge of God and His ways, a better understanding of right and wrong, and confidence to respond to others from a place of love.

Invite wisdom into your walk with God. Just ask Him for it. It’s there for the taking.

Invite wisdom into your walk with God as you pursue righteousness.

Be Generous

Jesus was the most generous person to ever walk the earth. His sacrifice on the cross for us clearly shows His giving nature. As His disciples, we too are called to be generous.

Galatians 6:10 tells us to “do good things for all.” Jesus Himself tells us it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). And since love is the greatest fruit of the Spirit, John tells us in 1 John 3:17, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” John is saying we should be appropriately generous with our love.

Generosity is then not only a requirement of our Christian walk, but it’s also a by-product of our pursuit of righteousness. It’s a natural outflowing of being in a relationship with Jesus.

We can be generous by utilizing another Biblical principle- our time, talent, and treasure. Each of us always has one of the three available for the benefit of others. Make it a habit to daily examine what you can give to someone else to make their day better.

Don’t Be Short-sighted

We usually associate short-sightedness with a lack of long-term vision. Peter talks about it another way in 2 Peter 1:5-9:

“…Add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.”

In many ways, Peter is echoing what Paul wrote about the fruits of the Spirit in the book of Galatians. He reminds us to be virtuous, knowledgeable in the Word, use self-control, and persevere in all circumstances to produce godliness, which all leads to evidence of God’s love within us.

Peter takes things a step further than Paul by stating matter-of-factly that we will have forgotten our salvation if we don’t pursue righteousness. This is what he means by short-sightedness and implied self-righteousness, and why it’s so important to avoid it.

Don’t Give Up

Pursuing righteousness is an ongoing journey. Encourage yourself daily in the Lord by keeping your eyes on Him, reading the Word, praying and asking for wisdom, and making purposeful efforts to walk in the Spirit. This is what Paul prays for in Philippians 1:9-11,

Don't give up pursuing righteousness. God blesses those who seek Him.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.”

Though God knows our righteousness will never be perfect on this side of Heaven, He is always pleased to see our determination. The simple act of trying and persisting captures His attention every time. So, don’t give up. Pursue your righteousness in the Lord remembering He blesses those who seek Him (Lamentations 3:25).

“You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness, who remembers You in Your ways.” Isaiah 64:5

Your Turn

How are you pursuing your righteousness every day? Where have you seen God bless you in your effort, and where could you use some help? Let’s talk about it and encourage each other. Please leave your comments in the section below or contact me directly. I’d love to hear from you today.

Further Reading

(Rest easy! There are no affiliate links here. Just more good stuff to read.)

Pastor John Piper wrote a great devotion about pursuing righteousness called Dirty Rags No More over on his blog, Solid Joys. It’s a part of his Desiring God ministry. You can read it for yourself right here.

 

And once again, Got Questions does an excellent job explaining righteousness, plus how it’s different from self-righteousness. Here’s the link.

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6 Replies to “5 Everyday Ways to Pursue God’s Righteousness”

    • I am definitely praying for you. But let me ask you, have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Do you believe He was born of a virgin, died on a cross, rose again three days later, and ascended back into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father? If you say yes, and you have confessed your faith to someone, you are truly saved. You cannot earn God’s salvation. Grace is a free gift. He only needs you to accept it. If have received His grace, then walk in obedience to His word. Read the Bible daily, get to know Him. Develop a relationship with Him, and by faith you will walk righteously. We can only remain in His will if we know what it is. Please read and pray every day, and He will show you the way. I wish you many blessings, Joyce. I am praying for you.

  1. Your insight on a subject that is most important but hard to understand, was very helpful. I have bookmarked it and refer to it often. Thank you.

  2. I started to study righteousness by defining it. It seems impossible. I know there is alot of anger and hurt in me from wounds inflicted by other Christians and it seems crazy that God would still want me in his family.

    • Dear sweet Elizabeth, God ALWAYS wants you in His family. I’m so sorry you’ve been hurt by others. Please don’t take what they did and transfer that into thinking that you’re somehow not worthy of God’s love. That’s the devil talking! You are always worthy of His love. It’s why He came to this earth and died for you. Nothing and no one can take that fact away. I pray you don’t let your anger get in the way of your faith, but that you would somehow try to find a way to forgive. I know that’s not always easy, but if we can forgive others, we can find the freedom to move on. Studying righteousness is great, but no one expects you to be perfect. Only God is perfect, so please don’t try. Just keep walking with Jesus, keep your trust in Him, and let Him lead you to the paths of righteousness. If you try to do it in your own strength, you’re going to have a much more difficult time. So stick close to Jesus. In Him is healing and protection and the deepest of love. You are wanted, dear sister, and you are very very loved. Praying for you.