Category: Righteousness
Subject: Righteousness
A Lover of Good
The NKJV phrase, “a lover of good” appears only in Titus 1:8, as one of the qualifications of an elder. It is translated from the Greek word philágatho ).
This Greek term is from the root philos (fond of) and agathos (that which is good). Though the KJV translates the term, “a lover of good men”, it is important to note that there is nothing in the definition of the word or the context that limits it only to men. An elder is to be fond of all that is good. Here, the RSV, NKJV, ESV, and numerous other translations rightly leave off “man.”
The lexicographers all offer simple definitions of the term. Strong — fond of good; Thayer — loving goodness; Vine — loving that which is good. The term is plain, and easily understood.
Interestingly, the negative aphilágathos is found in 2 Timothy 3:3, when referring to ungodly people of the last days. Here the translation reads, “not loving good.”
The elder should have this as a part of his character because every Christian should have it as a part of his character! One of the identifying characteristics of the child of God is that he hates darkness, and loves the light. As Paul wrote in his treatise on love, that “it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6).
We are children of the light. Each of us are to love righteousness, and reject sin.
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Pieces of Armor
Paul wrote in Ephesians 6, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (10-13).
What is the armor of God? Well, it certainly is not any type of physical armor. While Paul uses the metaphor, mentioning shields, swords and helmets, he is of course not talking about physical pieces of a literal suit of armor. This is because of the nature of the conflict waged between the child of God and the forces of evil we fight. We must stand against the wiles (devious or cunning stratagems employed in manipulating or persuading someone to do what one wants) of the devil. A literal shield or sword is of no use in such a conflict.
The Patternists: Walking in the Light
In 1 John 1:7-9, John gives us a wonderful promise. “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Our question, since the promise is that God will cleanse us from all unrighteousness, is, “What does it mean to walk in the light?” John gives us some idea of that in his phrase, “as He is in the light.”
Cast Off
Psalm 60 is an acknowledgement of sin as Israel was “cast off” by God due to His displeasure (1). The Psalmist recognized that victory for Israel was possible only if God was with her. Consider these words at the end of the Psalm:
“Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies” (10-12).
What a sad state to be “cast off” by God Himself. How could such happen? Well, it is certainly not because of any capricious tendency of God. Every time, the fault is with men. Jehovah told Israel through the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
We can not prosper without God. No matter the circumstance, without God “the help of man is useless.” Only with God can we gain victory, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:57). “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15).
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Sermon: The Tents of the Righteous
The Psalmist stated in Psalm 118:15, “The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous…” Tents were familiar to the Jews and Christians in the first century. The use of the image in scripture teaches some good lessons.
Scoundrels
An interesting word study is found in 2 Kings 21, which records the death of Naboth, who refused to sell King Ahab a vineyard he desired. His refusal to sell “the inheritance of my fathers” to Ahab, left the king pouting. Worse, it made Queen Jezebel angry.
Jezebel set in order a conspiracy to kill Naboth for his actions. Men were recruited to bear false witness against Naboth in the presence of the people, proclaiming, “Naboth has blasphemed God and the king” (vs. 13). On the basis of their testimony, Naboth was taken outside of the city and stoned to death. Ahab got his vineyard.
These men who bore false witness were identified as “sons of Belial” in the KJV, (vs. 10, 13). Later, Paul equated the name Belial with Satan Himself (cf. 2 Corinthians 6:15). Other translations call these men, “scoundrels” (NKJV), “base fellows” (ASV), “worthless men” (ESV), and “sons of worthlessness” (YLT).
The Hebrew words bên (sons) belîya’al (of Belial) indicate individuals who are without profit, worthless, destructive, wicked, evil, ungodly. Evil recruits evil for the express purpose of harming the righteous. Thus it has always been, and thus it shall always be. But remember, in the face of such ungodliness, “it is a righteous things with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you… in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8).
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Sermon: The Cost and Reward of Righteousness
Joseph, in Genesis 39, shows us that righteousness sometimes comes with consequences. Remember, it may cause conflict on earth, but it guarantees a heavenly reward!
The Mob Mentality
We live in harrowing times. The present pandemic is becoming more and more intrusive in the world. Not only have many died from the COVID-19 virus, but there is a growing panic in America and throughout the world.
It is hard to know whether things are as bad as they seem to be. The virus is actually fairly mild compared to others, but it is new, and seems to be easily spread. Regardless, it is being covered by the media 24/7, and is resulting in major lifestyle changes in America.
Spiritual Surgery
Recently I came across a sermon outline by Joe Price titled Spiritual Surgery. (He preached it a couple of months ago). This article is basically a fleshing out of the three main points in his outline.
The apostle Paul, in Colossians 2, refers to a spiritual circumcision, using the token of the covenant between God and Israel to make an important point. “In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (2:11-12).
As physical circumcision was surgical removal (a cutting off, cf. Genesis 17:10-11; Galatians 5:12). Paul uses the same language to indicate they were to remove or put off the body of the sins of the flesh. This was not an unfamiliar concept to the Jews. In fact, Moses said something similar as he called upon the Israelites to repent of their transgressions against God in Deuteronomy 10:16, “Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer.”
Sermon: The Christian’s Role in Politics
Speaker: Josh Cox
Josh explains some scriptural principles that should guide every Christian as we seek to navigate voting and political involvement in a divisive culture.
- Facebook Live Video of Sermon (Note: The audio in this video feed is not very good).
Sermon: “Who may abide in Your tabernacle?”
According to Psalm 15, only the upright, righteous, truthful, lover of good, obedient individual is welcomed by God into His presence. Those who backbite, do evil, gossip, mistreat and harm others are not welcome.
Sermon: Sin VS Righteousness
A comparison and contrast made between sin and righteousness. Sin is attractive, but righteousness is beautiful. Sin deceives, righteousness is honest. Sin enslaves, righteousness liberates. Both sin and righteousness spread. Sin defiles, righteousness partakes of the Divine nature.
Sermon: What Can the Righteous Do?
David affirmed in Psalm 11 that in the midst of trial or persecution, the righteous can depend upon God as they place their trust in Him.
Sermon: Felix Trembled
When Paul spoke to the Roman governor concerning “the faith in Christ” it caused Felix to tremble with fear. Why? He spoke of righteousness to the sinner, self-control to the intemperate, and judgment to one unprepared. Felix’s fear was well founded.
“There is none who does good”
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; there is none who does good” (Psalm 53:1).
The infidel is a fool. He is wicked, living his life without the one thing that can bring good action — faith in God.
“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Romans 1:24-25).
There is a philosophical question that is often asked. Can atheism account for morality? In other words, without God, can there be true right and wrong, good and evil?
Accepting the reality of God, the point is moot. If God exists, and created us for His purpose, then one can’t be “good” unless one is doing God’s will. This is what the Bible affirms. Left to our own devices, we are incapable of serving God acceptably. “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away” (Isaiah 64:6). And, it is required of us, if we are to be good, to obey Him. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Don’t be a fool! Believe in God, and do His will!
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