Practical Righteousness (Genesis 15:16)

One of my favorite portions of scripture is the account of Abraham receiving a promise from God and believing it.  Many years ago when I struggled to settle the doctrinal issue of eternal security, this portion of scripture was key because when Abraham believed God, it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6).  What is important to see is that this took place hundreds of years before the law was given.  Abraham's righteousness was positional.  In other words, it represented how God saw him from the relationship perspective.  Because of his belief, he was acceptable.  As we know, there were future events that would take place when Abraham would not live according to God's will.  The actions of taking Hagar for child bearing purposes, going into Egypt for refuge and lying about Sarah as his wife for self preservation were all sinful acts.  These actions were unrighteous.  Positionally, Abraham was acceptable to God and righteous, but practically, his actions were unrighteous.

Today, believers in Christ are acceptable to God because they believe the work and promise of God's son.  Because of this, we are in Christ.  Daily we battle the world, the flesh and the devil and on more occasions than we desire or like to admit, fall to their temptations.  We commit sinful acts and we as Abraham become unrighteous at the practical level.  We are still acceptable to God because we are his children, but our lifestyle at times is not pleasing to him.

As we go through trials, we must remember that before us is a great opportunity to demonstrate practical righteous living before God.  It is quite simple and we fail to recognize it.  Because we focus so much on the do's and don'ts of the Christian life, we fail to focus on our hearts.

To be counted with practical righteous in the mist of a trial, you must be like Abraham and believe God's promise and it will be counted to you as righteous living.  You can do this.  There are no lessons to learn, courses to study or prerequisites to attain.  All you need to do today is live believing God will be God.  He will work his will and he is closely attentive to your needs.  His actions will be in love and will always be what is best for you.  When you do, you will at the practical level demonstrate righteousness before God.

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.  For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.   (Psalm 5:10-11)