1 John 2:29
[29] If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. (ESV)
The Apostle John begins this word with the word "If." If we know that he is righteous. How many people have fully recognized the righteousness of God. Most of humanity is trying to convince themselves that man is righteous and does not need God. They define their righteousness by comparing themselves to others. "I'm not as bad as so-and-so. I've never killed anyone." These are expressions of people who do not truly know the righteousness of God.
The righteousness of God, if it is fully known, exposes our unrighteousness and shows us just how far from God's standard we really are. There is a wonderful account given by the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. He describes his encounter with God. Isaiah was a prophet. He was a "godly" man. How did he respond when he saw God in his holy righteousness?
Isaiah 6:1–5
[1] In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. [2] Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. [3] And one called to another and said:
“Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory!”
[4] And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. [5] And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (ESV)
Do you truly recognize the righteousness of God? If you do it will expose your natural unrighteousness. If you think that you are righteous apart from God it is evidence that you do not know him.
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