Yearly Archives: 2011

The Right Kind of Righteousness

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Back in the sixties we might have heard someone say, “That’s really righteous, man!”

What they meant had nothing to do with real righteousness. In  that context it simply meant “cool” or “fine”.

Dictionaries define “righteous” as being just, virtuous, having a high standard of morality. But biblical righteousness has an additional dimension to it, although I wasn’t too clear about that in the sixties. Actually, it’s just beginning to dawn on me in my sixties.

Even when we make our best effort to be righteous, there will always be holes in it. To be truly righteous includes not just good behavior but pristine mental activity, too, and we know how hard it is to keep our thoughts from running away with us before we can stop them.

The biblical definition of righteousness is: a person who’s been judged to have led a life pleasing to God. But even that didn’t open my eyes to the full truth.

Because that definition is in the past tense, the entire Gospel is buried in it. When someone “has been judged,” the reference is to judgment after death. Approval at that point comes only through Christ’s righteousness. His sin-free life included his thought life, the arena most difficult to control. And because he succeeded 100%, his death and resurrection makes it possible for us to be wrapped up with him in his righteousness.

But I think the biblical word “righteous” means even more than that for Christians. In reading Scripture, I used to wish the promises to the righteous applied to me, but I knew I didn’t qualify. To label myself “righteous” seemed self-aggrandizing and prideful. What I’m finally realizing in my mid-sixties is that Christ’s righteousness applies not only to the hereafter but to the here-and-now, and he wants me to claim it.

Listed below are 10 goodies that are already mine. These and many more belong to anyone who is righteous in Christ:

  • My life will bear fruit.
  • My home will be blessed.
  • My prayers will delight God.
  • I’ll experience joy.
  • God will always rescue me.
  • I can live in God’s presence.
  • God will facilitate my escape from sin.
  • My grandchildren will receive an inheritance.
  • All my prayers are heard by God.
  • My prayers will get results.

And as they said in the sixties, “That’s really righteous!”
“People are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.” (Romans 4:5)

Figure it out.

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Nelson was about to arrive home after 8 months away, so I was outside Windex-ing the windows on The Bean in preparation for his reunion with this small, well-traveled vehicle. Window glass is the only Bean feature that could ever sparkle.

In the process, a tiny but sharp piece of acorn got wedged between the ball of my foot and my flip-flop. Every time I stepped, it was, “Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.”

Finally I took off the sandal, shook it, rubbed the bottom of my foot, and put it back on. But the ouch was still there. I repeated it twice more, never taking time to study the problem, but the sharp something was always there. Finally I put down the Windex and looked. The flip-flop was clean and smooth. Same for my foot. So I put it back on.

But still!

And there was nothing there. Slowly I rocked forward onto the ball of my foot, mimicking a step, and it poked again, but there was nothing to see. So I pulled it off and pressed my finger on the smooth place that mysteriously got sharp, bending the sandal like it was walking.

Ouch again!

Finally I turned it over. And there was the problem: a stubby sharp screw embedded in the sole, pointing straight up,  just deep enough to jab me when my weight pressed on it. I unscrewed it and had a good chuckle.

While finishing my window washing, I thought about God’s faithful efforts to prod me into following his instructions. His jab might be a sentence in a devotional book: poke.

If I put that out of my mind, he might poke again, maybe a radio program or a friend’s comment on that same subject: jab.

On and on his little ouchies go until I stop what I’m doing and turn my attention to the subject at hand, much like I took off the flip-flop and shook it out, rubbing my foot. But noticing something still isn’t owning it: poke.

Hopefully I’ll be troubled enough by God’s prodding to eventually investigate, looking beneath the jab in an effort to find the source of irritation.

Sadly, our obedience sometimes starts with irritation. We’re frustrated with a new path to walk, a new skill to hone, a new person to meet, a new risk to take. If we’re happy with the status quo, all this newness can be distressing.

But God’s love for us is strong: poke. And he hopes eventually the annoyance of his jabbing will outweigh our reluctance to turn our attention toward him.

I want to develop a quick, inquisitive response to his prodding. In the mean time, I’m thankful the pushy little screw ended up in my flip-flop rather than in The Bean’s brand new tires!

“I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”  (Isaiah 48:17b)

It ain’t over yet.

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When I was in high school, I analyzed my parents’ lives as being nearly over, at least the good parts. Their days seemed boring, devoid of fun or freshness.

Now that I’ve traveled into and nearly through those same years, I have an amended viewpoint. As long as we’re still alive, new experiences will present themselves, some welcome, some not. But each is a chance to stretch, learn or overcome. Yogi Berra had it right: “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

While walking Jack last night the sky was crystal clear, and a full moon was nearly too bright to look at. My LED flashlight was unnecessary, and moon-shadows on the road created stunning free form art. As we returned to the cottage, I had a hard time ending the walk. It seemed wasteful to opt out of such a dramatic night.

Once inside, Louisa and I decided we needed to see what the beach looked like drenched in such bright moonlight. Jack was delighted with a bonus creek cocktail at 1:15 AM, and we were awed by the sand, aglow in silver. The lake bounced with light, flashing glimpses of colorful stones beneath the water. We wished out loud we’d brought our pillows and blankets.

What other wonders go unnoticed every day because the easier choice is not to go searching for them? And does it have anything to do with middle-age?

We all know older people who routinely plant themselves in front of challenging experiences. They’re committed to trying new things and lead lives marked by adventure and enthusiasm. Fresh conversational topics make it rewarding to be with them, and they focus on what’s possible rather than on what’s not. Youthful energy surrounds these seniors like bees circle a hive.

I’d love to be just like them.

There have always been oldsters characterized by forward-thinking optimism. God introduced us to 3 of them, Caleb, Joshua and Moses, in the pages of Scripture. These geriatrics had a fire for life well into their 80’s, each one eager to take on new beginnings whenever they could. No La-A-Boys or TV for this crowd.

I think God often waits for us to initiate something new. He’s looking for a willingness to embrace change or risk. After we take step 1, he might respond with steps 2-6, then present us with step 7. But he accurately analyzes hearts and loves a willing spirit. Who knows what wonders may be in store if we press forward rather than stand still.

Last night when I finally put my head on the pillow, it was into a pool of moonlight that had followed us home from the beach, squeezed through the trees above our cottage, and slipped through my window to remind me, “It ain’t over till it’s over.”

“Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when… challenges come at you from all sides. Don’t try to get out of anything prematurely.”  (James 1:2 The Message)