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)
Yesterday we looked at the first part of this verse. We concentrated on the concept that many people do NOT know that God is righteous. They view themselves as being righteous. People will refer to their own sense of goodness. Yet, the reality is, when we gaze correctly at God we find our nature exposed as completely vile and corrupt. God's righteousness is perfect and holy. Ours is not.
For those who are aware of God's perfect righteousness there is now an ability to practice righteousness. This idea of practicing righteousness speaks of a new habit of godly living. It is not an occasional thing. It is not something that we just do on Sundays. Rather, practicing righteousness means that the way we conduct ourselves in our workplace, our schools, our family times, and any other occasion will glorify God and not ourselves.
How is this possible? Can we just wake up one morning and decide that we are going to practice righteousness? Not at all. Notice that the Apostle John tells us in the end of the verse that those who are practicing God's righteousness are giving evidence that they have been born of God. If you are not born of God, do not bother attempting any practice of God's righteousness. It will be completely futile.
The good news is that Jesus died to set us free from sin, and to give us his righteousness. By receiving his free gift of salvation we are adopted as God's child. And unlike earthly family adoptions, we are even given family traits like our newly adoptive Father. We begin to exhibit his traits of righteousness. It becomes a new habit for us.
Do you know that God is righteous? Have you received his righteousness? Are you practicing that righteousness? If not, this is a perfect moment to ask him to forgive you, save you, adopt you, and give you his righteousness!
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