Justice And Righteousness In Proverbs

Wisdom has many facets. Today we are going to consider justice. Justice means to do right, live right, and practice righteous behavior. Character is the foundation of the Christian life and behavior is the tangible expression of the same life. Wisdom is demonstrated in one’s behavior.

I. THE WISE PERSON'S INFLUENCE IS WIDESPREAD

Influence and example are potent forces for goodness and upright behavior. Parents, teachers, and leaders are often honored and best remembered for their influence on others. Do you desire to influence others to live for the Lord?

A. The righteous man leaves a rich legacy to his children (Pro. 13:22). The inheritance, of course, is more than money or possessions; it includes such things as morality and character. How rich indeed is the child who has upright parents! (Pro. 20:7) What kind of legacy do you want to leave?

B. The influence of the righteous is perpetuated beyond death (Pro. 10:7). What a contrast! In our earthly tenure we like to be remembered, and the thought of being forgotten is painful indeed. The way to live on is to live right. How do you want to be remembered?

Influence works both ways. You can leave a bad influence which will affect others. Did you know, children who see physical violence between their parents are six times more likely to abuse their own spouses after they marry. If those children were also hit by their parents as teenagers, they are 12 times more likely to abuse their spouses.

Or you can leave a good influence which will help others. Years ago the communist government in China commissioned an author to write a biography of Hudson Taylor with the purpose of distorting the facts and presenting him in a bad light. They wanted to discredit the name of this consecrated missionary of the gospel. As the author was doing his research, he was increasingly impressed by Taylor's saintly character and godly life, and he found it extremely difficult to carry out his assigned task with a clear conscience. Eventually, at the risk of losing his life, he laid aside his pen, renounced his atheism, and received Jesus as his personal Savior.

II. THE FINE QUALITIES OF THE RIGHTEOUS ARE VERY EVIDENT

A. He walks in the light (Pro. 4:18). The evil person fears the light lest he face exposure, while he who practices truth comes to the light (John 3:20-21).

B. He progressively experiences development in spiritual maturity (Pro. 9:9). The goal of Christian maturity and the possibility of growth is ever before us. The Apostle Paul expresses it beautifully in Philippians 3:12-14. Notice that he is going for the prize. The prize is Jesus (v. 8–that I may win Christ). If you already have Christ, how can you win Him? You can win His blessings; you can win His favor. Don’t just seek wisdom, seek Jesus, the Giver of wisdom. Don’t just strive to be a better Christian, strive to be like Jesus, who can make you more like Himself.

C. His speech is wholesome and valuable. An index in a book tells us the contents of the book; similarly, one’s conversation is an index to the content of his inner life. Words can either justify or condemn (Matt. 12:37), because they are representative of what is within (Pro. 10:20, 31). Your words reveal to me what is in your heart. Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. The righteous speak words that are pure and wholesome.

III. THE RIGHTEOUS ARE THE OBJECTS OF GOD'S PLEASURE

A. He experiences divine blessings (Pro. 10:6). These blessings are extended even to the household of the righteous (Pro. 3:33).

B. He experiences divine deliverance from trouble (Pro. 12:13).

C. He experiences divine protection from evil (Pro. 12:21).

CONCLUSION

When we make an investment, we are always interested in the dividends. The righteous life pays tremendous dividends in both the present and the future. The way of the transgressor is hard; on the other hand, the way of the righteous is blessed, satisfying, and rewarding.

So let me ask you, are you a just person? By that I mean do you do right, live right, and practice righteous behavior? Do you strive to live according to God’s Word? The world has a skewed view of living right. They say if you stay out of trouble and do what makes you happy, you are living right. Far from it! God says you are living right when you walk in the light of His Word and influence others to live for Him! There is no righteousness apart from God! Tonight I hope you’ll seek to be wise by striving for the just and righteous life which God’s Word describes.