The difference between the righteous and the unrighteous

Probing Proverbs 10:6-7 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.

The Scripture does not pull any punches when it comes to comparing those that follow God from those that do not. The subtle deception is that many do not keep before themselves when they read these passages, “Who’s” perspective is evaluating the lives involved. We tend to look from our short temporal view and some of the principles seem to be left wanting.

The righteous receives blessings like an anointing (the head). These could be blessings (praises) from people in their lives, but we obviously know that not all righteous individuals are appreciated by this world. However, viewing it from God’s perspective whether the world acknowledges it or not, God will bless with peace, purpose and joy now, and rewards in eternity. Sadly, God’s view of the wicked judges the motives. A wicked person looks out for themselves and serves “self” which will lead to violence, whether it be in deed, word or even thoughts. The legacy of the righteous goes into eternity, while the wicked ends and decays…soon to be forgotten. What is so tragic is that no one has to end like that.

The only difference between the righteous and the wicked is one simple little word – “grace.” All humans on their own will never be righteous in God’s eyes because they are controlled by their sinful nature…all of us! What makes the difference for anyone, is when they have become humble enough to understand that they can never live righteous on their own, and they embrace the Truth that the grace that God extends from Jesus Christ will pay for their sin in total, put to death their sin nature, produce a new nature in them that will allow them to live righteously. We become children of God by trusting belief in the forgiveness Christ purchased through His death and resurrection. That is why our righteousness can never be viewed as ours – that is called self-righteousness and is nauseating to God. The Pharisees were full of this attitude, judging themselves better than others.

Luke 18:10–14 “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  “The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.’ “But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ “I tell you, this man went to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

A true child of God knows that his or her righteous originates in Christ and grows as intimacy with Christ increases. God creates in us something we could not create in ourselves. What we are blessed and rewarded for is our willingness to obey and follow God.

Don’t try and become righteous by your works, it will never happen. Allow God to make you righteous by trusting in His Son to redeem you.

Where are you in your relationship to your Maker right now? Do you want to know Him? Tell Him and read the gospel of John – there you will discover what Jesus did for you. Are you a child of God, yet you life lacks joy? Perhaps you have begun to live your life on your own power. Read Galatians and discover how important a life of faith is!