WATCHMAN CATHOLIC CHARISMATIC RENEWAL MOVEMENT
21 Days FIRST FRUIT FASTING FELLOWSHIP 2026 (Premium Edition) (Day 14)
- Theme: REAPING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND DIVINE REMEMBERANCE
- Texts: Gen. 8:20-22; Hos. 10:12; Jn. 4:35-38; Gal.6:7
- Topic: THE REDEEMED AND RIGHTEOUSNESS
- Subtexts: Matt.5:20, 6:33; 2Cor.5:21
We dwell at a time of deception, when impostor and lying spirits rove the spiritual highways, seeking gullible ministers and church members to deceive (Matt.24:4-5; 11-12; 1Tim.4:1-2).
So many teachings are flying around that make room for the works of flesh which will eternally damn their victims (Eph. 4:14; Gal.5:21; Rom.6:1).
We shall define the Redeemed, describe Righteousness and drop some counsel.
A, THE REDEEMED DEFINED (Ps.107:2; Gal.3:13; Col.1:13-14; Heb.9:12; 1Pet.1:18,19; Rev.5:9-10).
The redeemed are people who have been delivered from the power of darkness /sin as a result of their faith in the work at Calvary (Isa.53:10,11; Rom.6:14; 1Pet.1:18,19). So they are children of God carrying God‟s holy nature (Jn.1:!2; 1Pet.2:9) and serve as priests that render sacrifices to God (Rev.5:9-10; Heb.13:16). Their faith in Christ brings them into a status of God‟s righteousness (2Cor.5:21; 2 Cor. 2:15).
Does it then mean that such person are free to live as they please? Was it not such people that the Apostle wrote to in the epistles to Romans, Corinthians, Galatian and Ephesians (Rom.5:20, 6:1-3; 1Cor.6:9,10; Gal.5:19-21; Eph.5:1- 6)?
- DETAILS ON RIGHTEOUSNESS
There are very many views of righteousness, but the bible views stand out among the different views and values this world tries to offer.
Generally speaking, righteousness means being morally right, just and virtuous; acting in line with divine and ethical standards and showing upright, blameless conduct; often rooted in religious belief but also applicable to secular justice signifying a state of being right in relationship with God or principles–encompassing qualities like honesty, fairness and adherence to moral law.
In theology, the Aramaic word tsedâqâh (pronounced:
tsed-aw-kaw’) which means
rightness (abstractly); subjectively
rectitude; objectively
justice, morally
virtue or figuratively
Prosperity was translated righteousness.
The Greek word dikaiŏsunē (pronounced
dik-ah-yos-oo’-nay) translated righteousness means
equity (of character or act);
justification. It is the character or quality of being right or just. It was used as follows:
Righteousness denotes an attribute of God (Rom.3:5)
The Lord Jesus used it for
whatever is right or just in itself that conforms to the revealed will of God (Matt.5:6,10,20; Jn.16:8,10);
whatever has been appointed by God to be acknowledged and obeyed by man (Matt.3:15; 21:32);
the total sum of God’s requirement (Matt.6:36);
religious duties like almsgiving
–duty to the neighbor; prayer–duty to God; fasting – duty to self i.e self- control (Matt.6:1-15).
Righteousness is based on God‟s standard as He is the ultimate Lawgiver (Isa.33:22) and our righteousness are as filthy rags before Him (Isa.64:6).
It can also be defined as the quality of being right in the sight of God transversing character (nature), conscience (attitude), conduct (action) and command (word).
(i) Righteousness of God in the Old Testament: following the wickedness that engulfed the heart after the fall, the law was given to be
observed and righteousness was accounted for those who observed all the commandments (Deut.6:25; 13:17-17). However, it exposed man‟s helplessness towards accomplishing God‟s standard (Gal.3:24; Rom. 7:5-6). However, God rewards man with righteousness by faith and not just by works in the Old Testament era (Gen.15:6). The way of righteousness leads to life (Pro.12:28) and God is the ultimate Source of life, so righteousness belongs to Him alone.
(ii) Righteousness of God in the New Testament: After the renting of the veil and resurrection of Christ, whosoever believes in Him is made right with God (Isa.53:10,11; Rom.3:22; 10:4; 2Cor.5:21; 1Pet.2:24).
Thus, our faith in Him leads us to the righteousness of God (Rom.1:17). This is IMPUTED righteousness. It is a
legal stand. So, this righteousness is the God given quality (Status) imputed to man upon believing in Christ (Jn.3:14- 15; cp.Num.21:9; Rom.5:1). Therefore, the sacrifice at the cross restored the broken relationship between God and man, as before the fall.
However, this legal status does not abrogate the moral demand to obey the Creator. So, there is the moral shade of righteousness that the legal shade cannot negate hence the several warnings to the saints that possessed the legal shade (status) of righteousness (1 Cor. 6:9,10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph. 5:1-8)
- DECISION EXPECTED OF THE REDEEMED
The Lord Jesus showed that there is comparative righteousness (Lk.18:9-14; cp. 2 Cor. 10:12) and commanded that righteousness be pursued as Apostle Paul also later did (Matt.6:33; 1Tim.6:11). There must be no room for accommodation of sin after salvation in the name of eternal security (Jn. 10:27-28; Rom. 6:1-4, 14; 1 Jn. 3:8-9).
The Scriptures reveal that those who live for righteousness enjoy God‟s favour (Matt.5:6,10; Ps.112:1-4). We can therefore say that righteousness creates good medium for divine prosperity (Con. Prov. 29:2, 15:6, 13:21, 11:8,18; Ps. 112:1-3)
The believer is expected to pursue God‟s righteousness: putting God at the centre of his life; being addicted to God‟s word, work and way, for therein lie the blessings of God (Pro.15:9; 21:3,21; Ps.42:1).
The sinner must know that man‟s (self) righteousness is like filthy rags before God (Isa. 64:6); so that he should seek imputed righteousness that comes by faith and proceed with practical or moral righteousness (Matt.6:33).
Let‟s pray
