MONDAY, JULY 24
1 John 2:18-29
1 John 2:29

"…every one that doeth righteousness
is born of him."

DO RIGHTEOUSNESS (1)

The seventh sign of born-again believers is they do righteousness. "If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" (1 John 2:29). Righteousness, (Greek dikaiosúnē) "is the state commanded by God and standing the test of His judgment (2 Cor 3:9; 2 Cor 6:14; Eph 4:24). It is conformity to all that He commands or appoints. Since God Himself is the standard of the believers, the righteousness of God means the righteousness which belongs to God or to oneself from God, or Godlike righteousness (Matt 6:33; James 1:20). Thus righteousness, in general, is God’s uprightness or standard, without reference to any particular form of its embodiment, to which man is expected to conform" (Zodhiates). Thus, to do righteousness is to do what is right and just according to God’s will and Word including all of God’s commandments.

Many are praised for their good works and sacrifice for the poor and the needy, but if their hearts and motives are not right before the holy God, they will be rejected. Many professing Christians think that they are doing the right things even performing miracles in the Lord Jesus’ name but these are not according to God’s will! They will also be rejected before the righteous Lord, who will "profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matt 7:23). With man’s sinful, depraved and deceitful nature, no man is able to live up to God’s righteous standard nor keep all of God’s commandments. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). God’s Word confirms: "There is none righteous, no, not one… For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:10, 23). All the good things we have done can never satisfy God’s righteous standard. "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…" (Isa 64:6). Thus, "every one that doeth righteousness is born of him" (1 John 2:29). Only born-again believers are able to do what is right and acceptable unto God by His grace and strength! What about you?

THOUGHT: Am I doing the right things before God?
PRAYER: Lord, help me do what is right in Thy sight.