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On Righteousness: Benefits Part 1 - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) May 27, 2022

Updated: Jun 28

We previously learned about righteousness and the fact that we must live godly lives to be considered righteous by the Lord. We also learned God has provided different ways to live righteously. Today, we consider some benefits of righteousness. By the grace of God, we shall be convicted to make the necessary changes so we remain on the path of righteousness the Lord places us on for His own name's sake, according to Psalm 23:3.


The upright (AKA the righteous) successfully intercede for their neighborhoods/cities/nations. Proverbs 11:11 - A city becomes great when the righteous give it their blessing; but a city is brought to ruin by the words of the wicked (GNT). This should be of great significance to us in P&P because of our commitment to interceding for people. By living a godly life pleasing to the Lord, we become successful intercessors who protect wherever they live. Not convinced? Take a look at Jeremiah 5:1 - “Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem, look around and consider, search through her squares. If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city. Given all the violence and strife in the land, there is even more reason to strive for a righteous heart and lifestyle so as to be successful when praying for where we live.


Additionally, the righteous receive forgiveness and life from God. All of us are sinners. Nobody is exempt from this reality. Despite our fallen nature, God made a way for us to repent and receive righteousness through Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:11). He also promised to forgive the righteous when they call on Him according to Ezekiel 18:22 - All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done (NLT). If you are wondering why only the righteous receive forgiveness, please remember that because we are sinners and because Jesus came to restore us to God, we are all expected to repent. Repenting 'clears the deck' and gives us a fresh start whereby God forgets all our sins. Without it, we remain sinners who don't have access to the Lord's ear as stated in John 9:31 - We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will.


We know that the fear of the Lord is a way to receive the blessing of long life, but God kindly provided another avenue - righteousness. Proverbs 16:31 - Long life is the reward of the righteous; gray hair is a glorious crown (GNT). Life expectancy in the US was 77 in 2020. People in the UK fared better with men living to 78 while a woman's average life expectancy was 83 years in 2020. Ask yourself, don't you want to live longer than the average person? And in the good health promised to those who love and honor the Lord? A righteous life is a crucial key to this.


As God has made promises to the righteous, so also has He made promises to the unrighteous. One such promise is contained in 1 Corinthians 6:9 - Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites. Sinful behavior is what keeps people from reaching heaven and we have to be cautious in what we do, think, and say. We have to allow the Lord to teach us how to be righteous in our behavior as well as accept the righteousness He kindly grants. The heaven-minded cannot afford to be flat-footed, but must strive for godly living in accordance with His word. And praise the Lord for sending us Jesus, who made it possible!


May the Lord continue to show us how to live righteously in this day and age. All by His grace and to His glory, IJMN, Amen.


Kindly join us at Noon EST today to fellowship. We shall start off with 25 minutes of praise and 25 minutes of interceding for others by God's grace. See you then!




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