It appears that in today’s social media-induced gatherings, it is way too much for churches to have righteousness ministered to their members. As a result, the Church’s overall appearance is now judged as too socialistic, worldly rather than spiritual. This is where we, the individual parts of the Church body, must stand up for the truth of the word of God and declare that the social manner of all is, at its core, God’s righteousness revealed in His very nature and essence.
Most don’t want to hear a message on righteousness, but there is a social heritage revealed within the confines of it in the scripture, and for those who call themselves Christians, it focuses on matters relevant to their nature and essence being as the heavenly Father’s, based on His way of doing things, not on what the world desires them to be.
I am a member of a local church body that is by the Spirit of God, at work upon its members, encouraging a manner of spiritual social activity among each other, a unity of faith as each member gathers to reveal a common image of our heavenly Father through Jesus our Lord. It is all by a righteous mannerism that comes by the presence of the Spirit of God, which, for all learning purposes, is the most misunderstood part of this issue.
Whether we like it or not, there is evidence that the church, corporately, has not done well to maintain its image as God-like as possible over the centuries, and in modern times, many, including myself, are guilty of this. I can attest that in the past, I had gotten into a frame of mind aligned with the world’s socialist views, but I found the truth about righteousness. So why would I, a believer, even think that way?
Several reasons, but one, I, like many others, was taught by someone in the church that it was OK to subdue one’s righteousness to a degree that would not be offensive to those who were not saved. In other words, be careful and don’t act too spiritual because it can be a stumbling block to someone receiving Jesus. Obviously, I did not know what righteousness is or how it is revealed in my actions. It is also equally important to know that most churches do not teach scripture on what righteousness is, so members are ignorant of its effect on their spiritual stature and, therefore, have no idea how to live it.
So, not only has a secular appearance occurred, but with no spiritual training, there is a stupidity lending to religious facades, which is an adulterated position in the truth of the gospel of Christ. Individuals and organizations deceived by the enemy do not object to the acceptance of socialist views for the Church. But there is a way to ensure that the core of the fellowship of the Saints in Christ Jesus continues to develop and nurture righteous social interaction among one another in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, by the word of God.
As the word transforms the spirit and soul, so that all are continually mindful of a righteous post each holds in Christ. Rom 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Think this way: If you continually speak and exhort those things contrary to righteousness, then you will become conformed to an unrighteous manner of thinking. But if you continually speak and exhort those things that pertain to righteousness, it ensures a righteous manner is continually nurtured in your thinking. Righteousness is a statute held by a child of God and is to be seen by the unrighteous as a witness to His nature and essence, not evident by what they have done, but by what Christ did for all. 1 John 3:6-9 Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.
Every believer is born again from the same seed, one that the Word says is not corrupted by sin; all have the same spiritual Father. 1 Pet 1:23 having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. Therefore, to practice righteousness is not only concerning one’s life but, most importantly, concerns the fellowship of the whole body of Christ by the Holy Spirit, who is righteous. However, there is a difference between living from a position of revealed righteousness vs. living from a position of subdued righteousness.
How does a Christian subdue or subjugate their righteousness in Christ? Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Anyone accepting the social order of this world and applying it to their life in Christ is now a slave to the working of it. Their righteous position in Christ has been willingly subjugated to a life the world lives; thus, there is no difference in their way of living.
This now comes back to a statement I’ve made before, in that the God kind of life, or Zoe as it’s called in the Greek, is only relevant and exerted through one’s living righteously, which is so in contrast to how those in this world of darkness live that the manifestation of it will cause conviction in the hearts of those who see it. Eph 5:11 Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.
Listen, if you are a Christian, you are a son or daughter of God; thus, you have the very nature and essence of your heavenly Father in you. And are to reveal His image in this world, just as Jesus revealed it by living a righteous life, seen in His Father’s divine power, bringing life and godliness into the lives of people. 2 Pet 1:3-4as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, 4by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The social order of the body of Christ depends upon one’s willingness to come together as a spiritual family, allowing the Holy Spirit’s presence in one another to reveal such divine power. We are the light in this dark place, the salt to savor and flavor the lives of the lost, the city that is set on a hill for all to see, the chosen ones to be the rulers, and reigning spiritual influence here on earth, and do so as kings and priests of the Highest. Rev 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
So, it is certain that for all this to manifest in our living presence here, certain things must actively continually promote, support, influence, encourage, and exhort everything and anything that the word of God reveals about a righteous status in a world of sin and death. It is the Holy Spirit who trains believers to be conscious of righteousness in a spiritual sense, knowing that our righteousness is not because we are so good but because Christ is. Ps 25:4-5 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.
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