Religious vs. Righteous

           For those of us who have attended church long enough to pick-up “religious lingo” - spouting off religious-sounding monologues, advice and prayers is a piece of cake!  Sounding religious comes quite easy!  Some time ago, the Holy Spirit taught me a difficult but valuable lesson:  Just because something feels religious, sounds religious or even looks religious does not make it righteous!

            Jesus offered several examples of this distinction in the NT, but for the sake of time and topic, I’ll share only one:  In Luke 18:9-14, Jesus told a story of two men who prayed – the first, a minister – the second, a sinner.  The minister rattled off a self-exalting prayer; while the sinner’s prayer exposed his own spiritual failures and need for God.  The minister’s prayer was religious; but the sinner’s prayer was righteous.

            In ALL you and I endeavor to do for the Lord’s namesake, we must be sensitive to His leading in every manner we communicate or interact with others, whether it is teaching The Word, ministry activity, offering counsel or prayer.  You and I may say and do all manner of things that are “right" or “religious”, but if it is not authentically guided by the Holy Spirit, it will not be truly righteous.

 

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

 

Suggested Prayer

My Father, I praise You, for You declared Your Son, Jesus, would be called, “The Lord Our Righteousness,” (Jer. 23:6) and He is Your Righteous Servant (Is. 53:11).  I thank You that for all who come to You by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we are given the gift of righteousness – we are declared innocent – we are made pure.  However, Lord, I recognize there are times I struggle with my sin nature – even in my service to You!  There are times I have said and done things that looked and sounded religious, but were not righteous – I accomplished these things without Your directive or approval – without purity in motive – without regard for Your glory, but for my own.  I’ve said and done religious things that seemed right to me, but they resulted in death – death to experiencing authentic intimacy with You; death to meaningful relationships with others; death to opportunities to bear Your light and Your love to hurting people.  My Lord, have mercy on me; forgive my error!  Make me sensitive to Your Spirit’s guidance in all matters pertaining to spiritual service and fellowship!  You are the Righteous Servant – let me follow Your example of humility before the Father!  May my life represent the beauty and power of Your Righteousness in me, and may the end of all I say and do for Your namesake end in the way of life for myself and those who behold it!

In Jesus name, I pray…Amen!