Is The Righteous Life Worth Living?

Is the righteous life worth living?

Malachi 3:13 - 18 (NIV) 13“You have said harsh things against me,” says the LORD. “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’ 14“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty? 15But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.’” 16Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the LORD and honored his name. 17“They will be mine,” says the LORD Almighty, “in the day when I make up my treasured possession.£ I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. 18And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

Malachi 4:1 - 3 (NIV) 1“Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them. 2But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall. 3Then you will trample down the wicked; they will be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day when I do these things,” says the LORD Almighty.

Following God, being obedient and living the holy life is what every Christian should be striving for with the intention and motivation being to give glory to God. This we all know. We hear it all the time. It seems to be common sense. But the big question one must ask them selves is living the righteous life worth it? Is it?

Living the righteous life isn’t easy. It takes self control. It takes patience. It takes kindness. It takes Character. Ultimately it takes the power of God living inside each and every one of us. It takes turning the other cheek when someone does you wrong. This isn’t an easy thing to do is it? Jesus famous Sermon on the Mount is a good example how hard it is to live the righteous life. Listen to some of what he says.

He also says.

40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

He goes on to say

41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

If that not hard what is? He says

43“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor£ and hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you: Love your enemies£ and pray for those who persecute you,

Now if that isn’t a long list of things that seem almost impossible he adds

48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

We are asked to be perfect in all we do for the Lord.

Matt 5:38 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’£ 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Turning the other cheek isn’t easy is it? Who wants to stand there and allow someone to assault them?

Story: There were four young boys that heard a sermon on turning the other cheek and it got their undivided attention. The minister stressed that no matter what others do to us, we should never try to "get even." That afternoon the youngest boy came into the house crying. Between sobs he told his mother he had kicked one of his brothers, who had kicked him in return. "I’m sorry you’re hurt," his mother said. "But you shouldn’t go around kicking people." To which the tearful child replied, "But the preacher said he isn’t supposed to kick me back."

Some might say that even attempting to do such things is crazy it can’t be done and even if it can it doesn’t seem worth it. Especially when it seems that everyone who isn’t following God and His righteous ways is having all the fun.

Trouble in the text The Israelites thought this way also In Malachi 3:16

1. The Israelites thought this way.

1. The Jews were questioning whether or not it was best to follow God or not

2. They were thinking it was futile and that it served to no end.