Understanding God’s Nature, Our Identity, and the Challenge of True Christian Living
What Is Righteousness?
Righteousness, in simple terms, means being right with God and with others. It’s about living in a way that reflects God’s character—fairness, honesty, kindness, and love. Righteousness isn’t just about following a set of rules; it’s about letting God guide our hearts and actions so we can be a force for good in the world.
God’s Desire: Revealing Himself to Us
God wants us to know Him more deeply, and to discover who we really are when we are connected to Him. In Ephesians 1:17-18, Paul prays that God will give us wisdom and a spirit of revelation, so the eyes of our hearts may be opened. This means faith isn’t supposed to be static or just accept what we’ve always heard. Instead, God calls us into an ongoing journey—showing us more of Himself and helping us become more like Him.
Two Key Aspects of God’s Nature
At a time when Christianity is often wrongly caught up in politics and arguments, it’s important to remember the core of God’s nature:
· Righteousness—God always does what is just, loving, and good. He hates injustice and evil, not people, but the harm they do.
· Peace and Joy—Romans 14:17 says the kingdom of God isn’t about following rituals or debating rules, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. True faith brings peace to our hearts and joy to our lives, even in hard times.
The Truth and the Lie
The Book of James (3:13-17) talks about two kinds of wisdom: one that comes from God and leads to good lives full of mercy and kindness, and another that is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic”—leading to jealousy, selfishness, and disorder. James warns against “lying against the truth” (James 3:14). In plain terms, pretending to be wise or righteous while spreading hate or division is not from God.
What Righteousness Is Not
Righteousness is not about hating others, spreading fear, or using faith as a weapon. The Bible is clear: “Spreading hatred will never achieve the righteousness of God.” Christ did not die to justify evil or to let us look down on others. Instead, He calls us to love our neighbors and even our enemies.
The Danger of Distorted Christianity
In our world today, there are loud voices using Christianity for political power or to justify prejudice and even violence—sometimes called “Christian nationalism.” This is a distortion of the gospel. It replaces God’s message of peace, love, and justice with division, fear, and even racism. When Christians go along with this or remain silent, they betray the very gospel they claim to believe.
Christian Ethics: Living What We Believe
Being a Christian is not just about believing in Jesus, but about living out His teachings. We are called to embody love, forgiveness, justice, and humility. As Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a person thinks in their heart, so are they.” Our actions flow from what’s really in our hearts. If our faith is real, it will show in how we treat others, especially those who are different or marginalized.
God’s Wrath and Righteousness
Romans 1:18-19 says that God’s wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and injustice—not against ordinary people, but against actions that harm and destroy. God desires for us to turn away from hate, violence, and idolatry (making anything more important than God), and to pursue what is good and true.
Faithful Christians and Citizens
Faithful Christians are also called to be faithful citizens—caring for justice, opposing racism, and resisting dangerous ideologies that twist the faith for personal or political gain. Vengeance, the Bible says, belongs to God—not to us. We are called to be peacemakers, not agents of division.
Let Your Light Shine
In difficult times, when faith is misused and the world is divided, we are called to be a light—shining brightly through faith, love, and justice. Let your Christian journey reflect the true character of God, not the loudest voices of the day.
Conclusion: The Call to Righteousness
Righteousness is not about being perfect or self-righteous. It is about letting God change our hearts, seeking the truth, loving others, and standing against hate and injustice. God loves righteousness and hates evil. May we be people who know God, show His love, and make His righteousness known in how we live every day.
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 