Websters 1828 Dictionary: Purity of heart and rectitude of life; conformity of heart and life to the divine law. Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it is chiefly used, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law. It includes all we call justice, honesty and virtue, with holy affections; in short, it is true religion.

In fewer words, righteousness is doing that which is right.

If we are going to be righteous, we must have some standard by which to judge what is right. There are several standards that are used by people to determine what is right. The first one is the individual’s personal beliefs. It should be obvious to all that this is not a good standard because each individual will have a different standard.

Another standard is that of the society in which one lives. This is not a good standard because different societies have different standards. For example, in most societies, it is wrong to kill and eat another human. In cannibalistic societies, on the other hand, it can be an honorable thing to do.

There are also standards based upon religion. In Islam, it is not only right, but it is commanded, that those who are outside of Islam are to be enslaved or killed is they do not convert. Even under the broad umbrella of what we call Christianity, there is a diversity of standards. Although they are restrained by law, there are some “Christians” who believe that those who do not hold their brand of Christianity should be severely punished, or even put to death.

If it is not confusing enough to have these, and other, standards, we must also deal with the fact that these standards change over time. What was considered right 100 years ago, is now considered wrong, and vice-versa.

So, where can we find a standard that is unchanging and sure for all peoples, societies, and nations? It can be found in the unchanging, forever settled Word of God.

For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Psalms 119:89)

The problem with mankind is that they don’t want to live by this standard because it interferes with their wicked desires. I must warn all who reject this standard, it is the standard by which they will be judged when they stand before God. Consider the following:

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27)

We all have and appointment with death. That is not the end of things. After death, we will all face God in judgment.

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48)

At that judgment, the standard will be the Word of God. No one will be able to say, “I didn’t know,” because God’s law it is written in our hearts.

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)

We cannot pick and choose which parts of God’s Word we follow. Life is not a cafeteria where we say, I won’t eat the broccoli because I don’t like it. Any infraction of God’s law makes us guilty in His sight.

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2:10)

This does not mean that if we commit murder, we are also guilty of adultery. What it means that if we break one point of the law, we are lawbreakers and stand guilty before an absolutely holy God. God’s holiness demands that all lawbreakers be punished.

I have gone a little farther than simply defining righteousness because I want us to understand the importance of being righteous. This is just an overview of this subject. You will find more depth in the posts on this blog.