Who Are the Righteous

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again”, Proverbs 24:16 NIV

What a wonderful promise from God to all those that strife to follow Him in this world of evil.

First, we need to look at the biblical definition of what a Righteous man is.

The Bible says that Abraham believed God, and it was “credited to him as righteousness”. It is a gift of God’s grace, not something a man can earn by his own strength.

Righteousness is gifted to you.  You do not earn this by your perfection of keeping any or all religious rules.

In the original Hebrew, the word for Righteous is tzaddik. It means to live in a right relationship with God and others. It is about trusting God and showing mercy and humility, rather than just following a set of strict rules.

A righteous man is someone who lives in a right relationship with God and treats others with justice, mercy, and truth. He is not a flawless person, but one who genuinely trusts God, repents when he fails, and strives to obey God’s commands.

The Bible tells us that these are the characteristics of a righteous person.

He acts justly: He is fair, honest, and treats the poor and vulnerable with respect.

He keeps his word: He does what is right, even when it costs him.

He controls his tongue: He does not gossip, lie, or use his words to hurt others.

He loves mercy: He forgives others and shows grace, just as God has shown grace to him.

God gives another promise to the righteous person.

“The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all”, Psalm 34:19 NIV

“For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous”, Psalm 1:6 NIV

To put it simply a righteous man is one whose focus is solely on building a relationship with God.  Trying to let the Holy Spirit control and guide his life.  Not believing that any rule keeping will ever get him to attain eternal life. The Law is very important because it points out where my relationship needs work on.  The Law in of itself has no saving power.  Only a relationship with God does.

How do we know that God loves to save the righteous?

Look no farther that the story of Peter.  The disciples were sent by Jesus to go across the sea by boat.  In the middle of the night while they were rowing hard against the wind and waves. Jesus came to them walking on the water.  Peter upon hearing that it was his master, teacher, and savior asked to be able to walk on the water to Jesus.  A huge step in Faith for a fisherman who knows that no one can walk on the water.  He steps out of the boat and is walking along fine, keeping his eyes on the one that can give him the ability to walk on the water.  Peter is a righteous man, trusting Jesus with everything at that moment.

Then Peter starts letting the problems of the world confuse him about where his eyes and mind should be focused on.  He starts to see the waves and the wind, and he gets distracted and immediately starts to sink under the pressure of the moment. 

Yet, what is the first thing Peter sees when his eyes and focus go back to his Savior.  He sees that perfect hand of Jesus reaching out to save him from the depths.

Jesus was there immediately when Peter cried out for help.  No condemnation, just a saving hand. Jesus was there for the righteous man.

You are going to have bad times.  The world and its evil are all around you.  Your mind may be getting distracted by the news and happenings of this world.  You may be in pain and depression.  God does not expect you to live a perfect life.

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again”, Proverbs 24:16 NIV

God promises to pick you up and raise you up to Him.  To those whose eyes are on Him.

Work on your Relationship. Nothing else matters.

Prayers and Love for all.

Larry