Introduction

Good morning, church family. Today, we're going to dive deep into the topic of righteousness, and not just any righteousness, but the kind that we actively pursue. The kind that requires effort, commitment, and a whole lot of God's grace. We're going to look at why it's necessary, what we gain from it and how it can utterly transform our lives.

Our guiding scriptures for today's sermon can be found in Proverbs 10:2 which says, "Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, But righteousness delivers from death."

1 John 3:10 also tells us, "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister."

And finally, 2 Timothy 2:22 advises us to, "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

As we reflect on these passages, let's ponder the words of John Newton who said, "Our righteousness is in Him, and our hope depends, not upon the exercise of grace in us, but upon the fullness of grace and love in Him, and upon His obedience unto death." This sentiment echoes our call to actively pursue righteousness, to give our time and commitment to seeking God and His ways.

Let's pray.

Dear heavenly Father, as we delve into your Word today, we ask that you open our hearts and minds. Help us to understand this call to pursue righteousness, to fully grasp its necessity and the wonderful benefits and rewards that come from seeking you. Guide us, Lord, on this journey, and may our lives be a testament to your unending grace and love. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Now, let's get started, shall we?

The Benefits

The pursuit of righteousness is not a passive endeavor. It is an active, intentional, and continuous journey that requires our full commitment. It is a journey that leads us to a deeper understanding of God's will and His ways, and it brings us closer to Him. But what are the benefits of this pursuit? Why should we strive for righteousness?

Brings us into alignment with God's will: When we strive to live righteously, we are essentially striving to live according to God's commandments and His teachings. This alignment with God's will is not just about obedience, but it's about being in harmony with the Creator of the universe. It's about living in a way that pleases Him and honors Him. This alignment brings us peace and joy because we are living in accordance with our Creator's design for us.

Leads to spiritual growth: As we strive to live righteously, we are challenged to grow and mature in our faith. We are forced to confront our weaknesses, our sins, and our shortcomings. This process of self-examination and repentance leads to spiritual growth. We become more Christ-like as we learn to live righteously.

Brings blessings: In Matthew 5:6, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This is a promise from our Savior that those who seek righteousness will be blessed. These blessings may not always be material or earthly blessings, but they are blessings nonetheless. They could be blessings of peace, joy, contentment, or spiritual growth.

Brings us closer to God: As we strive to live righteously, we are drawn closer to God. We begin to see things from His perspective. We begin to understand His heart. Our relationship with Him deepens and becomes more intimate. This closeness to God is one of the greatest benefits of pursuing righteousness.

Has eternal implications: In Matthew 25:46, Jesus says, "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." Our pursuit of righteousness has eternal consequences. It determines our eternal destiny. This is perhaps the most significant benefit of pursuing righteousness.

The Necessity

The necessity of pursuing righteousness is not just a passive state of being, but an active pursuit, a conscious decision we make every day to live according to God's will ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO