Taking the Way Of Righteousness
Second Corinthians 6.14 warns, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?  And what communion has light with darkness?”

We are to be witnesses and demonstrations of God’s love and righteousness to those who do not believe or practice His ways, but we are not to yoke up nor enter into partnership with those who walk in darkness – to do so would be to compromise the way of righteousness which we have embraced (Prov. 12:26).

One cannot practice righteousness while at the same time mingling with the world and with the world’s ways. As the Scriptures indicate, righteousness and lawlessness have nothing in common, and light has no fellowship with darkness.

Dealing righteously produces peace. But dealing unrighteously produces calamity. Those who follow righteousness and mercy find life, righteousness, and honour (Prov. 21:21).

Proverbs 11:18-19 discloses, “The wicked man does deceptive work, but he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.”  

Any path outside of righteousness is fatal. It is righteousness – God’s way of doing and being right – which leads to life. Following righteousness provides direction as well as protection:

    “The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright” (Prov. 11.5).
    “The righteousness of the upright will deliver them” (Prov. 11.6).
    “Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless” (Prov. 13.6).

We each have been given the ability to choose which course we will follow: Righteousness or that which is contrary to God’s thoughts and God’s ways. When righteousness is our focus and pursuit, the righteousness of God within us will direct our way aright and guard us. “The way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death” (Prov. 12:28).

Proverbs 12:17 assures, “He who speaks truth declares righteousness, but a false witness, deceit.”  When we speak truth and live truth it declares righteousness. If we are to live righteously, then we must not deal falsely with our neighbour, nor practice deception in any form. Righteousness does not walk contrary to the Law of Love, nor of any ordinance or commandment of the Lord.

If we are uncertain how to walk in righteousness, we have only to seek the Word of God which provides all the direction we need. Second Timothy 3:16 reveals that “all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for instruction in righteousness.”  And Psalm 23:3 tells us that the Lord, our Great Shepherd, leads us in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.

Psalm 4:5 urges, “Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.”

When we offer righteousness as a holy sacrifice to the Lord, endeavouring to follow His ways of uprightness and truth, it will produce wholeness and well-being in every detail of our life, and bring blessing to those around us. As we put our trust in Him, He will bring His righteousness to fruition in our life.

The work of righteousness will bring peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.