{"id":52685,"date":"2023-06-05T06:30:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/?p=52685"},"modified":"2023-08-24T09:27:34","modified_gmt":"2023-08-24T13:27:34","slug":"walking-in-righteousness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/devotionals\/walking-in-righteousness\/","title":{"rendered":"Walking in Righteousness","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/podcasters.spotify.com\/pod\/show\/be-moment-podcast\/embed\/episodes\/Walking-in-Righteousness--Biblical-Entrepreneurship-Moment-e27v4l5\" height=\"200px\" width=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<p><em>WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGU<\/em>E<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What are the attributes of an abundant life? Are you walking in righteousness? Do you understand the difference between God\u2019s standard of righteousness versus your own standard of righteousness?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><em>\u201cThe thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.\u201d<\/em> <strong>\u2013 John 10:10 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Walking in Righteousness<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Romans 14:17 tells us that the Kingdom of God is about living in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. <\/strong>Today we will discuss righteousness. When Jesus speaks about the abundant life of the Kingdom of God, He is not talking about achieving material prosperity, although it does not preclude it. Jesus Himself stated in <strong>Matthew 6:32<\/strong> that He knows that we have need of things. After stating that, Jesus went on to say,<em> \u201c\u2026but in order to acquire these things, you must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,\u201d<\/em> and then the material things that you need will follow.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What is righteousness? The Bible tells us that outside of God, no one is righteous <strong>(Romans 3:10)<\/strong>, but that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ <strong>(Romans 3:22)<\/strong>. <strong>You are righteous when you live your life in line with God\u2019s will, because His righteousness is expressed through you. <\/strong>None of us lives completely without sin while on this earth, but once saved, you can live by His power in such a way that He is pleased. His righteousness working in you causes you to please God through your actions, thoughts, and behavior. This righteousness is a manifestation of having your existence in Christ.<strong> When you live and move and have your being in Him (Acts 17:28), one of the fruits that you bear is a righteous lifestyle.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are two types of righteousness: righteousness which is of God and our own standard of self-righteousness. <strong>Unfortunately, many of us who have a zeal for the Lord and are serving Him in the marketplace fall prey to walking in self-righteousness.<\/strong> The Apostle Paul emphasized in <strong>Philippians 3:9<\/strong> that his desire was <em>\u201cto <\/em><em>be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which <\/em><em>is<\/em><em> from the law, but that which <\/em><em>is<\/em><em> through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He also stated in <strong>Romans 10:2-3<\/strong>, speaking of the Israelites, that they had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. In their zeal, they established their own righteousness, because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God. What is this righteousness that is \u201cof the law\u201d?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is actions and behaviors that are based on the letter of the law but ignorant of the Spirit. <strong>This zealous self-righteousness is using God\u2019s Word to realize one\u2019s own will and desires without taking into account the effect on others.<\/strong> It is a stubborn pursuit of one\u2019s perceived rights, based on a legalistic interpretation of Scriptures, but at the expense of love. This is in contrast to the Apostle\u2019s Paul\u2019s beautiful summation of what truly matters when he said, \u00a0<em>\u201cthe only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.\u201d<\/em> <strong>(Galatians 5:6b (NIV))<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Those who have their own standard of righteousness may not be involved in immoral acts such as murder, adultery, and so forth, but their actions do not please God, because they are based on their own sense of righteousness rather than God\u2019s.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How do I know if I\u2019m walking in my own righteousness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I always justify my own position<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am not operating out of love<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am seeking more to be understood than to understand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am fighting for my \u2018rights\u2019 rather than for what is right<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am not being led by the Holy Spirit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I lack compassion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am presumptuous<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Unfortunately, as Christians, some of us have earned a reputation for self-righteousness.<\/strong> This means that we are living according to our own standards of righteousness, not God\u2019s. As a result, the message of the Good News of the Gospel has at times been lost, and often falls on deaf ears, because we are perceived to be more concerned about our agenda than we are about genuinely caring for people.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a <a href=\"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/biblical-entrepreneurship-3\/\">Kingdom business steward<\/a>, if you are not careful, you may fall into this trap. This trap of self-righteousness will impact the success of your business. Or, even if your business succeeds financially, you will lose your ability to transform the marketplace because of your self-righteousness.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How can you ensure that you are operating in God\u2019s righteousness?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not justify yourself<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operate in love<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seek to genuinely understand others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focus on what is right and not who is right. (lay down your personal \u2018rights\u2019)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be led by the Holy Spirit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be compassionate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not make assumptions about others<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember Paul\u2019s statement in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Philippians%203%3A9&version=NKJV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Philippians 3:9<\/a><\/strong>. <strong>Faith in Christ<em> <\/em>enables us to lay aside worldly self-righteousness that is based on performance, self-sufficiency, maneuvering, and conniving. Instead, we trust God and His goodness to justify and cover us.<\/strong> We rest in the love of Jesus Christ, and live by faith, expressing His love and His righteousness through all that we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Walking and resting in God\u2019s righteousness demonstrates that your existence is in Christ. Once you have established the foundation of His righteousness working in your life, you are ready to build toward the subsequent steps of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to reject your own standard of self-righteousness and embrace His righteousness, so that you may glorify Him in the <a href=\"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/\">marketplace<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE What are the attributes of an abundant life? Are you walking in righteousness? Do you understand the difference between God\u2019s\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":1,"featured_media":52686,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pmpro_default_level":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-devotionals","pmpro-has-access",""],"spectra_custom_meta":{"affwp_submission_forms_hashes":["a:0:{}"],"_edit_lock":["1692883657:1"],"rank_math_internal_links_processed":["1"],"rank_math_seo_score":["70"],"rank_math_focus_keyword":["Walking in Righteousness"],"rank_math_description":["In this week's devotional, Patrice Tsague shares about what it means to be walking in righteousness. "],"_thumbnail_id":["52686"],"_edit_last":["1"],"_learndash_course_grid_short_description":[""],"_post":["a:2:{i:0;s:0:\"\";s:29:\"post_course_short_description\";s:0:\"\";}"],"_learndash_course_grid_duration":[""],"_learndash_course_grid_enable_video_preview":["0"],"_learndash_course_grid_video_embed_code":[""],"_learndash_course_grid_custom_button_text":[""],"_learndash_course_grid_custom_ribbon_text":[""],"_app_page_editor_content":[""],"rank_math_primary_category":["28"],"_oembed_4f52e8cc1450d6051b7ef68c87add7cc":["<iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" title=\"Walking in Righteousness | Biblical Entrepreneurship Moment by BIBLICAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP MOMENT PODCAST\" src=\"https:\/\/anchor.fm\/be-moment-podcast\/embed\/episodes\/Walking-in-Righteousness--Biblical-Entrepreneurship-Moment-e27v4l5#?secret=SntTj9cFOS\" data-secret=\"SntTj9cFOS\" height=\"102px\" width=\"400px\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>"],"_oembed_time_4f52e8cc1450d6051b7ef68c87add7cc":["1692883220"],"rank_math_analytic_object_id":["6541"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:7156:\".uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-desktop) !important}@media (max-width: 976px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-tablet) !important}}@media (max-width: 767px){.uag-blocks-common-selector{z-index:var(--z-index-mobile) !important}}\n.wp-block-uagb-image{display:flex}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure{position:relative;display:flex;flex-direction:column;max-width:100%;height:auto;margin:0}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;display:flex;max-width:100%;transition:box-shadow 0.2s ease}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure>a{display:inline-block}.wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{text-align:center;margin-top:0.5em;margin-bottom:1em}.wp-block-uagb-image .components-placeholder.block-editor-media-placeholder .components-placeholder__instructions{align-self:center}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-left{text-align:left}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-right{text-align:right}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-center{text-align:center}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-full .wp-block-uagb-image__figure{margin-left:calc(50% - 50vw);margin-right:calc(50% - 50vw);max-width:100vw;width:100vw;height:auto}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-full .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;width:100% !important}.wp-block-uagb-image--align-wide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{height:auto;width:100%}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{position:absolute;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;opacity:0.2;background:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);transition:opacity 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay-link{position:absolute;left:0;right:0;bottom:0;top:0}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity:1}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{position:absolute;left:15px;right:15px;bottom:15px;top:15px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;flex-direction:column;border-color:#fff;transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-center,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-right{justify-content:flex-start}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-center,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-right{justify-content:flex-end}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.center-left,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-left{align-items:flex-start}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.top-right,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.center-right,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner.bottom-right{align-items:flex-end}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{color:#fff;transition:transform 0.35s, opacity 0.35s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 24px, 0);margin:0;line-height:1em}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width:30%;border-top-width:2px;border-top-color:#fff;border-top-style:solid;margin-bottom:10px;opacity:0;transition:transform 0.4s, opacity 0.4s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 30px, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity:0;overflow:visible;color:#fff;transition:transform 0.45s, opacity 0.45s ease-in-out;transform:translate3d(0, 35px, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-heading,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-separator,.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner:hover .uagb-image-caption{opacity:1;transform:translate3d(0, 0, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:scale(1);transition:transform 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-zoomin .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:scale(1.05)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{width:calc(100% + 40px) !important;max-width:none !important;transform:translate3d(-40px, 0, 0);transition:transform 0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover img,.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-slide .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{transform:translate3d(0, 0, 0)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-grayscale img{filter:grayscale(0%);transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-grayscale:hover img{filter:grayscale(100%)}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-blur img{filter:blur(0);transition:0.35s ease-in-out}.wp-block-uagb-image--effect-blur:hover img{filter:blur(3px)}\n.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure figcaption{font-style: normal;align-self: center;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 0.2;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner{left: 15px;right: 15px;top: 15px;bottom: 15px;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading{font-style: normal;color: #fff;opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-heading a{color: #fff;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__color-wrapper{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{width: 30%;border-top-width: 2px;border-top-color: #fff;opacity: 0;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-caption{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure:hover .wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay__inner .uagb-image-separator{opacity: 1;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-default figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image--layout-overlay figure:hover img{box-shadow: 0px 0px 0 #00000070;}@media only screen and (max-width: 976px) {.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}}@media only screen and (max-width: 767px) {.uagb-block-637764cc.wp-block-uagb-image .wp-block-uagb-image__figure img{width: px;height: auto;}}\";s:2:\"js\";s:0:\"\";s:18:\"current_block_list\";a:8:{i:0;s:9:\"core\/html\";i:1;s:14:\"core\/paragraph\";i:2;s:10:\"core\/table\";i:3;s:12:\"core\/heading\";i:4;s:9:\"core\/list\";i:5;s:14:\"core\/list-item\";i:6;s:10:\"uagb\/image\";i:7;s:10:\"core\/image\";}s:8:\"uag_flag\";b:1;s:11:\"uag_version\";s:10:\"1773224916\";s:6:\"gfonts\";a:0:{}s:10:\"gfonts_url\";s:0:\"\";s:12:\"gfonts_files\";a:0:{}s:14:\"uag_faq_layout\";b:0;}"],"_uag_css_file_name":["uag-css-52685.css"]},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-scaled.jpg",2560,1707,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-768x512.jpg",640,427,true],"large":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-1024x683.jpg",640,427,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-2048x1365.jpg",2048,1365,true],"post-thumbnail":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-624x416.jpg",624,416,true],"gform-image-choice-sm":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-scaled.jpg",300,200,false],"gform-image-choice-md":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-scaled.jpg",400,267,false],"gform-image-choice-lg":["https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/28\/2023\/06\/pexels-ketut-subiyanto-4719924-scaled.jpg",600,400,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"EC Admin","author_link":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/author\/ecmembersadm-2\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE What are the attributes of an abundant life? Are you walking in righteousness? Do you understand the difference between God\u2019s\u2026","comments_count":0,"content_native":[{"type":"core\/html","render":"<iframe src=\"https:\/\/podcasters.spotify.com\/pod\/show\/be-moment-podcast\/embed\/episodes\/Walking-in-Righteousness--Biblical-Entrepreneurship-Moment-e27v4l5\" height=\"200px\" width=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>","content":"<iframe src=\"https:\/\/podcasters.spotify.com\/pod\/show\/be-moment-podcast\/embed\/episodes\/Walking-in-Righteousness--Biblical-Entrepreneurship-Moment-e27v4l5\" height=\"200px\" width=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>","data":[],"style":[]},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p><em>WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGU<\/em>E<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<em>WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGU<\/em>E"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>What are the attributes of an abundant life? Are you walking in righteousness? Do you understand the difference between God\u2019s standard of righteousness versus your own standard of righteousness?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"What are the attributes of an abundant life? Are you walking in righteousness? Do you understand the difference between God\u2019s standard of righteousness versus your own standard of righteousness?&nbsp;&nbsp;"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/table","render":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><em>\u201cThe thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.\u201d<\/em> <strong>- John 10:10 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>","content":"<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><em>\u201cThe thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.\u201d<\/em> <strong>- John 10:10 (NKJV)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>","data":{"rows":[{"style":{"background-color":"","text-color":"","is_head":false},"columns":[{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<em>\u201cThe thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.\u201d<\/em> <strong>- John 10:10 (NKJV)<\/strong>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<em>\u201cThe thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.\u201d<\/em> <strong>- John 10:10 (NKJV)<\/strong>"}],"data":{"html":"<em>\u201cThe thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.\u201d<\/em> <strong>- John 10:10 (NKJV)<\/strong>"},"style":{"align":"center"}}]}]},"style":{"textColor":"","layout":"regular","parent_style":{},"hasFixedLayout":false}},{"type":"core\/heading","render":"<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\">Walking in Righteousness<\/h2>","content":"Walking in Righteousness","data":[],"style":{"align":"left","parent_style":{},"textAlign":"center","header":"h2","fontSize":"27px"}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p><strong>Romans 14:17 tells us that the Kingdom of God is about living in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. <\/strong>Today we will discuss righteousness. When Jesus speaks about the abundant life of the Kingdom of God, He is not talking about achieving material prosperity, although it does not preclude it. Jesus Himself stated in <strong>Matthew 6:32<\/strong> that He knows that we have need of things. After stating that, Jesus went on to say,<em> \u201c\u2026but in order to acquire these things, you must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,\u201d<\/em> and then the material things that you need will follow.&nbsp;<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<strong>Romans 14:17 tells us that the Kingdom of God is about living in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. <\/strong>Today we will discuss righteousness. When Jesus speaks about the abundant life of the Kingdom of God, He is not talking about achieving material prosperity, although it does not preclude it. Jesus Himself stated in <strong>Matthew 6:32<\/strong> that He knows that we have need of things. After stating that, Jesus went on to say,<em> \u201c\u2026but in order to acquire these things, you must seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness,\u201d<\/em> and then the material things that you need will follow.&nbsp;"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>What is righteousness? The Bible tells us that outside of God, no one is righteous <strong>(Romans 3:10)<\/strong>, but that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ <strong>(Romans 3:22)<\/strong>. <strong>You are righteous when you live your life in line with God\u2019s will, because His righteousness is expressed through you. <\/strong>None of us lives completely without sin while on this earth, but once saved, you can live by His power in such a way that He is pleased. His righteousness working in you causes you to please God through your actions, thoughts, and behavior. This righteousness is a manifestation of having your existence in Christ.<strong> When you live and move and have your being in Him (Acts 17:28), one of the fruits that you bear is a righteous lifestyle.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"What is righteousness? The Bible tells us that outside of God, no one is righteous <strong>(Romans 3:10)<\/strong>, but that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ <strong>(Romans 3:22)<\/strong>. <strong>You are righteous when you live your life in line with God\u2019s will, because His righteousness is expressed through you. <\/strong>None of us lives completely without sin while on this earth, but once saved, you can live by His power in such a way that He is pleased. His righteousness working in you causes you to please God through your actions, thoughts, and behavior. This righteousness is a manifestation of having your existence in Christ.<strong> When you live and move and have your being in Him (Acts 17:28), one of the fruits that you bear is a righteous lifestyle.&nbsp;<\/strong>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>There are two types of righteousness: righteousness which is of God and our own standard of self-righteousness. <strong>Unfortunately, many of us who have a zeal for the Lord and are serving Him in the marketplace fall prey to walking in self-righteousness.<\/strong> The Apostle Paul emphasized in <strong>Philippians 3:9<\/strong> that his desire was <em>\u201cto <\/em><em>be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which <\/em><em>is<\/em><em> from the law, but that which <\/em><em>is<\/em><em> through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.\u201d<\/em><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"There are two types of righteousness: righteousness which is of God and our own standard of self-righteousness. <strong>Unfortunately, many of us who have a zeal for the Lord and are serving Him in the marketplace fall prey to walking in self-righteousness.<\/strong> The Apostle Paul emphasized in <strong>Philippians 3:9<\/strong> that his desire was <em>\u201cto <\/em><em>be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which <\/em><em>is<\/em><em> from the law, but that which <\/em><em>is<\/em><em> through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.\u201d<\/em>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>He also stated in <strong>Romans 10:2-3<\/strong>, speaking of the Israelites, that they had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. In their zeal, they established their own righteousness, because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God. What is this righteousness that is \u201cof the law\u201d?&nbsp;<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"He also stated in <strong>Romans 10:2-3<\/strong>, speaking of the Israelites, that they had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. In their zeal, they established their own righteousness, because they were ignorant of the righteousness of God. What is this righteousness that is \u201cof the law\u201d?&nbsp;"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>It is actions and behaviors that are based on the letter of the law but ignorant of the Spirit. <strong>This zealous self-righteousness is using God\u2019s Word to realize one\u2019s own will and desires without taking into account the effect on others.<\/strong> It is a stubborn pursuit of one\u2019s perceived rights, based on a legalistic interpretation of Scriptures, but at the expense of love. This is in contrast to the Apostle\u2019s Paul\u2019s beautiful summation of what truly matters when he said, &nbsp;<em>\u201cthe only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.\u201d<\/em> <strong>(Galatians 5:6b (NIV))<\/strong><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"It is actions and behaviors that are based on the letter of the law but ignorant of the Spirit. <strong>This zealous self-righteousness is using God\u2019s Word to realize one\u2019s own will and desires without taking into account the effect on others.<\/strong> It is a stubborn pursuit of one\u2019s perceived rights, based on a legalistic interpretation of Scriptures, but at the expense of love. This is in contrast to the Apostle\u2019s Paul\u2019s beautiful summation of what truly matters when he said, &nbsp;<em>\u201cthe only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.\u201d<\/em> <strong>(Galatians 5:6b (NIV))<\/strong>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>Those who have their own standard of righteousness may not be involved in immoral acts such as murder, adultery, and so forth, but their actions do not please God, because they are based on their own sense of righteousness rather than God\u2019s.&nbsp;<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Those who have their own standard of righteousness may not be involved in immoral acts such as murder, adultery, and so forth, but their actions do not please God, because they are based on their own sense of righteousness rather than God\u2019s.&nbsp;"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>How do I know if I\u2019m walking in my own righteousness?<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"How do I know if I\u2019m walking in my own righteousness?"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list","render":"<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I always justify my own position<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am not operating out of love<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am seeking more to be understood than to understand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am fighting for my \u2018rights\u2019 rather than for what is right<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am not being led by the Holy Spirit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I lack compassion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am presumptuous<\/li>\n<\/ol>","content":"<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>I always justify my own position<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am not operating out of love<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am seeking more to be understood than to understand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am fighting for my \u2018rights\u2019 rather than for what is right<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am not being led by the Holy Spirit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I lack compassion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>I am presumptuous<\/li>\n<\/ol>","listItemData":[{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>I always justify my own position<\/li>","content":"I always justify my own position","data":{"text":"I always justify my own position"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>I am not operating out of love<\/li>","content":"I am not operating out of love","data":{"text":"I am not operating out of love"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>I am seeking more to be understood than to understand<\/li>","content":"I am seeking more to be understood than to understand","data":{"text":"I am seeking more to be understood than to understand"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>I am fighting for my \u2018rights\u2019 rather than for what is right<\/li>","content":"I am fighting for my \u2018rights\u2019 rather than for what is right","data":{"text":"I am fighting for my \u2018rights\u2019 rather than for what is right"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>I am not being led by the Holy Spirit<\/li>","content":"I am not being led by the Holy Spirit","data":{"text":"I am not being led by the Holy Spirit"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>I lack compassion<\/li>","content":"I lack compassion","data":{"text":"I lack compassion"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>I am presumptuous<\/li>","content":"I am presumptuous","data":{"text":"I am presumptuous"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}}],"data":{"listType":"ordered"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p><strong>Unfortunately, as Christians, some of us have earned a reputation for self-righteousness.<\/strong> This means that we are living according to our own standards of righteousness, not God\u2019s. As a result, the message of the Good News of the Gospel has at times been lost, and often falls on deaf ears, because we are perceived to be more concerned about our agenda than we are about genuinely caring for people.&nbsp;<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<strong>Unfortunately, as Christians, some of us have earned a reputation for self-righteousness.<\/strong> This means that we are living according to our own standards of righteousness, not God\u2019s. As a result, the message of the Good News of the Gospel has at times been lost, and often falls on deaf ears, because we are perceived to be more concerned about our agenda than we are about genuinely caring for people.&nbsp;"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>As a <a href=\"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/biblical-entrepreneurship-3\/\">Kingdom business steward<\/a>, if you are not careful, you may fall into this trap. This trap of self-righteousness will impact the success of your business. Or, even if your business succeeds financially, you will lose your ability to transform the marketplace because of your self-righteousness.&nbsp;<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"As a <a href=\"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/biblical-entrepreneurship-3\/\">Kingdom business steward<\/a>, if you are not careful, you may fall into this trap. This trap of self-righteousness will impact the success of your business. Or, even if your business succeeds financially, you will lose your ability to transform the marketplace because of your self-righteousness.&nbsp;"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>How can you ensure that you are operating in God\u2019s righteousness?<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"How can you ensure that you are operating in God\u2019s righteousness?"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list","render":"<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not justify yourself<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operate in love<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seek to genuinely understand others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focus on what is right and not who is right. (lay down your personal \u2018rights\u2019)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be led by the Holy Spirit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be compassionate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not make assumptions about others<\/li>\n<\/ol>","content":"<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Do not justify yourself<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operate in love<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Seek to genuinely understand others<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Focus on what is right and not who is right. (lay down your personal \u2018rights\u2019)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be led by the Holy Spirit<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be compassionate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Do not make assumptions about others<\/li>\n<\/ol>","listItemData":[{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>Do not justify yourself<\/li>","content":"Do not justify yourself","data":{"text":"Do not justify yourself"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>Operate in love<\/li>","content":"Operate in love","data":{"text":"Operate in love"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>Seek to genuinely understand others<\/li>","content":"Seek to genuinely understand others","data":{"text":"Seek to genuinely understand others"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>Focus on what is right and not who is right. (lay down your personal \u2018rights\u2019)<\/li>","content":"Focus on what is right and not who is right. (lay down your personal \u2018rights\u2019)","data":{"text":"Focus on what is right and not who is right. (lay down your personal \u2018rights\u2019)"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>Be led by the Holy Spirit<\/li>","content":"Be led by the Holy Spirit","data":{"text":"Be led by the Holy Spirit"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>Be compassionate<\/li>","content":"Be compassionate","data":{"text":"Be compassionate"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/list-item","render":"<li>Do not make assumptions about others<\/li>","content":"Do not make assumptions about others","data":{"text":"Do not make assumptions about others"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}}],"data":{"listType":"ordered"},"style":{"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>Remember Paul\u2019s statement in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Philippians%203%3A9&amp;version=NKJV\">Philippians 3:9<\/a><\/strong>. <strong>Faith in Christ<em> <\/em>enables us to lay aside worldly self-righteousness that is based on performance, self-sufficiency, maneuvering, and conniving. Instead, we trust God and His goodness to justify and cover us.<\/strong> We rest in the love of Jesus Christ, and live by faith, expressing His love and His righteousness through all that we do.<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Remember Paul\u2019s statement in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Philippians%203%3A9&amp;version=NKJV\">Philippians 3:9<\/a><\/strong>. <strong>Faith in Christ<em> <\/em>enables us to lay aside worldly self-righteousness that is based on performance, self-sufficiency, maneuvering, and conniving. Instead, we trust God and His goodness to justify and cover us.<\/strong> We rest in the love of Jesus Christ, and live by faith, expressing His love and His righteousness through all that we do."}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p>Walking and resting in God\u2019s righteousness demonstrates that your existence is in Christ. Once you have established the foundation of His righteousness working in your life, you are ready to build toward the subsequent steps of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.&nbsp;<\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"Walking and resting in God\u2019s righteousness demonstrates that your existence is in Christ. Once you have established the foundation of His righteousness working in your life, you are ready to build toward the subsequent steps of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.&nbsp;"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}},{"type":"core\/paragraph","render":"<p><strong>My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to reject your own standard of self-righteousness and embrace His righteousness, so that you may glorify Him in the <a href=\"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/\">marketplace<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>","content":[{"type":"text","data":"<strong>My prayer for you today is that God will give you the grace to reject your own standard of self-righteousness and embrace His righteousness, so that you may glorify Him in the <a href=\"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/\">marketplace<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong>"}],"data":[],"style":{"textAlign":"left","color":"","dropCap":false,"parent_style":{}}}],"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"link","format":"url"}],"bb_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"app_access":{"can_access":true,"restrict_message":null},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=52685"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52685\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/52686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=52685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=52685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nehemiahecommunity.com\/members\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=52685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}