In my last post I wrote a little bit about righteousness.  I used to be a little confused about this.  There are two kinds of righteousness.  One is dependent on deeds and works and what others see by boasting, the richest of meanings is the true righteousness when we surpass that of the Scribes and Pharisees and become the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  The reality of this begins in our hearts and minds.

For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:20

     In my past I remember striving for perfection (self-righteousness?) through work and relationships.  I thought if I could be perfect in those endeavors I would find true happiness.  I also remember feeling quite lonely and stressed out with those as my focus.  My heart was like a stone toward God.  I wasn’t relying on Him for much of anything.  I also recall many times of thinking I was inadequate and a failure and always felt restless.  That all changed when I put my faith in Jesus Christ.  It wasn’t an overnight turn around but my life began to make sense.  

You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart – Jeremiah 29:13 NASB

     I now seek the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  Not for how I will appear to men, but how I appear to God.  My life is about choices and I want to say they always evolve around the righteousness of Christ.  They don’t always do that, as they should, but I also seek for the knowledge of what is pleasing to God, and what is anxious or hurtful in me.  This is done through the Holy Spirit and can be painful, but also joyful!  I seek the Fathers perfection through the righteousness of Jesus Christ and what He did for me on the cross.  What He did for me He did for ALL.  If you are restless, lonely, or if life just doesn’t make sense or seem to have a purpose, look to Him who saves.  Look to the Lord Who gives back life.  Life that is focused on the One Who created us because He loves us.  You will find no greater love.  You will find peace.  (You may want to read Matthew 5-7, which is The Sermon on the Mount.)

We love, because He first loved us. – 1John 4:19  NASB

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, – Ephesians 2:4 NASB

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 NASB