Righteous

No the title of this blog is not a cool catch phrase word from the 70's(I wouldn't know I was around for very little in the 70's) It's a title that means a lot to Christians in today's church and has meant a lot through the years.
Here is the direct cut from today's online dictionary.
1. strictly observant of morality: always behaving according to a religious or moral code
2. justifiable: considered to be correct or justifiable
3. responding to injustice: arising from the perception of great injustice or wrongdoing
righteous indignation
4. U.S. great: good or outstanding ( dated slang )
So we see that the word righteous means that someone is behaving according to religous or moral code, someone who is living the way the Bible tells us to. The third meaning here is also important because rigtheousness is not always what you do, it is many times how you react to life itself.
Neither of those meanings is possible, or even worthy of having if it isn't from God. There is no pride, no excitement in being righteous to others, or to ourselves, we should strive to be righteous to God.
Paul reinterates this fact in Philippians 3:9 :
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
We should work hard to be found in him, not in ourselves. Our true identity should come from Christ, from being a Christian. Not from any man made, or man given rules. If we are rigtheous and living a life approved of God then the other rules and laws will be automatic for us. Real, true righteousness comes from our faith, and our personal relationship with God. It can be found no where else. Not from following the rules, not from living right but from living for God.
The original form of the word righteous is compiled of early words for right and wise. So if we are wanting to be righteous we should be working hard to be right and wise in God's eyes. Then and only then will we find its true meaning.
Thanks for reading and have a great day!