Because God is Righteous

“I'm so glad your faith works for you,” others have said from time to time. As if faith is right for some people some of the time but not for everyone all of the time? God is right in every situation at all times. He's never wrong. 

Growing up in the Philippines, Lei Copenhaver knew all too well the poverty and political corruption that plagued her nation. It was wrong and it had to change. The best way she could think of to bring about this change was to join the radical student movement on her university campus. Along the way, though, she encountered Jesus Christ and she found herself divided between two vastly different worldviews.

Watch her video to see how her story unfolded: Saved in the nick of time

Because God is righteous, He's right in every situation, and following His principles leads us to the right decisions and actions. God is the source of all righteousness. He is our righteous judge. Psalm 97:2 (NASB) read, “...Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.”

Unfortunately, we can't live up to God’s righteous standard. Paul tells us in Romans 3 that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In Romans 3:10-12 (NASB), Paul paints a hopeless picture.  

“There is none righteous, not even one;

There is none who understands,

There is none who seeks for God;

All have turned aside, together they have become useless;

There is none who does good,

There is not even one.”

Faith is the key to attaining God’s righteousness. When we believe Christ’s death on the cross paid for our sins and we invite the Holy Spirit to live in us and through us, we are forgiven and become the righteousness of Christ. 

Paul writes in Ephesians 2: 8-10 (NASB), “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

After thinking about what she had heard, Lei trusted Christ to forgive her sins. She knew she could no longer be part of the radical movement. Lei learned that when she walked by faith, trusting the Holy Spirit to live in her and through her, she could then live a life that reflected God's righteousness. God graciously led her to follow the truth. 

Discussion Questions

1. What's the difference between right and wrong?

2. How do you determine what's right or wrong? 

3. Who sets the standard for righteousness? 

4. Can you be righteous? 

5. How do you enter into God's righteousness? 

6. Once you enter into God's righteousness, what can you do to help you live a more consistent lifestyle of righteousness? 

Meditate on this truth and memorize it:

Because God is righteous, I will live by His standards.