Blog #44 October 18, 2022 Proverbs13:6 Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way; but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. The pursuit of righteousness separates us from the ways of the world, but even this worthy effort requires instruction from the Lord. Righteousness is a wonderful fulfilling thing, but it can become a duel-edged sword that will cut from our heart the compassion that should be the hallmark of our ministry for the Kingdom. Psalms 69:7-9 69:7 Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face. 69:8 I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children. 69:9 For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. This happens because we have allowed pride to turn God’s righteousness into a representation of our own self-esteem. One could make the argument that our greatest effort should be to live our lives in the ways of God and they would be right. But what good is my righteousness if I refuse to create a way by which others can share in that which I have found. With Christ as his example, Isaiah tells of the true worth of righteousness. Isaiah 45:13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways; he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the Lord of hosts. Righteousness that is void of any compassion or charity to often becomes a prideful weapon that strikes down anyone it touches. It becomes dreadful, loathsome, and not very much different than a lie. It alters the perception of those ministering and causes them to see innocence as a willful heart, and ignorance as rebellion. Those true to the cause of the Kingdom realize that righteousness cannot be slapped on like a coat of paint; it must grow within the heart and free that heart from evil. It must shine from us like the light of truth it is and destroy within us the darkness of doubt that is our temporal inheritance. It is our labor to plant that seed of righteousness within the people of the world, and nurture it with the light of truth that grows within us. Only then will it grow within them, too. Psalms 51:10-13 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit. 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. The righteousness we possess must be born of God. It must be more than just a way to appease God. It must serve God’s purpose for the immortality and eternal life of man. In God's creation, all that ceases to grow begins to die. Righteousness is no different. It must grow within a person. It must grow within a people. It must contain that which offers charity, compassion, and a choice. True righteousness must contain both justice and mercy or it will be incomplete. For, justice without mercy is death, and mercy without justice is a pointless lie. Neither is true righteousness. Neither serves the labor we seek. For us to attain the righteousness we seek, our hearts must become wellspring of righteousness. We must become a conduit connected to the true source of all virtue that allows the waters of life to flow through us to the world. That can only happen when we allow the Spirit of God a place in our hearts. Only then, can righteousness grow within us in a way that allows God to work in the world of man. Ether 5:29 Behold, I will shew unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will shew unto them that faith, hope, and charity, bringeth unto me the fountain of all righteousness. These are instructions that will allow righteousness to flow from our heart to the hearts of all of God's children. In this, our righteousness is truly worthy of the Kingdom. That is my offering for today. FRED
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