Righteousness ... for His name's sake.

The New Testament book of 1 Peter provides us with a description of characteristics that should typify the people of God – perhaps the ‘standard’ to which we should aspire. We should be a people of hope, holy, chosen by God, submissive to Him and righteous. In chapter 3 we read:

⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁹ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For,

“Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.¹¹ They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵ But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. ¹⁷ For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. ¹⁸ For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. ¹⁹ After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— ²⁰ to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, ²¹ and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, ²² who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (NIV)

The word “righteous” is used to describe those whose way of thinking, feeling and acting are conformed to the will of God – and therefore needs no correction. It speaks of harmony, both oneness between man and God, but also within a man – his whole mind, soul and body working in unison. 

Paul's words in Php1:9-11 explains our need to be people of insight, having discerning hearts and minds that will respond in a godly fashion to all the circumstances we find ourselves engaged in. With one sole aim “the Glory and Praise of God.”

Q: How we should be?
A: Righteous - doing good regardless of the consequences. Our outward actions must always display what is going on internally. We must be genuine, the real article, not perfect, but with that aim.

Q: Why we should be righteous?

A: It is our calling - for this purpose Christ has set us apart, It demands obedience and it speaks of relationship. There is a distinct link in scripture between righteousness and relationship. God’s gaze in upon the righteous, He is attentive to their cries, prayers. This gives us a fuller picture, God’s heart to be in relationship with His people – and His encouragement to us is to set aside anything that hinders that relationship.

Q: How do we respond to the command to be righteous?

A: By diligently seeking regardless of the cost. Eager to be what we ought to be! We should fear God and not man! He watches, He judges and He alone will make right the injustices we experience. Men’s reactions towards our righteousness do not count – our relationship with God is all that counts. 

Is it of merit to ponder “Why suffering happens?” or are we able to simply trust in God and look to Him? 

Q: How can we be righteous?

A: By trusting in the work of Christ. Our confidence is not in our actions, as if it were a faith of works, but in the fact that it is God who brings us to Himself through the death of Christ. He both “opens the way” and at the same time “makes us acceptable”. We need to hold on to the truth that it is God who is pursuing us. He is drawing us to Himself, and purifying us in the process. As we respond by righteous actions there will be consequences in our relationship with both men and God.

In v21 we are to “pledge” ourselves – that is respond with an earnest seeking after and desire for more of Him.

Read the passage for yourself and let me know what thoughts come to you...

Press on!