The Results of Righteousness
When we are righteous before God and people, there will be two results. Most people will hold us in high esteem, because they see how we behave wisely, like they did David.(I Samuel 18:30) However, others will persecute us, because our righteousness points out their sinful lifestyles. Righteousness endears us to some and enrages others, like David's life enraged Saul.
Look at the book of Acts. The early disciples of Jesus were held in high esteem by the other Jewish people, but that did not mean that all of them turned to Christ. They just respected their righteous lifestyle. Then, the leaders were afraid of them and put them in jail, because they did not want anyone showing the people they were wrong. Jesus said that if they persecuted Him, they will persecute us. However, most people today think Jesus was a wise person. They just don't want to accept Him as Lord of all.
As believers, we must be prepared for the results of righteousness in our lives. When people hold us in high esteem, we must give the glory to God for saving us and changing us by His power. Then, when people persecute us, we must stay faithful to the Lord, knowing that they are feeling guilty because of their sins. They want to get rid of us, so others will not be able to see that they are not righteous by comparing our lives with theirs.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 21-23.
Look at the book of Acts. The early disciples of Jesus were held in high esteem by the other Jewish people, but that did not mean that all of them turned to Christ. They just respected their righteous lifestyle. Then, the leaders were afraid of them and put them in jail, because they did not want anyone showing the people they were wrong. Jesus said that if they persecuted Him, they will persecute us. However, most people today think Jesus was a wise person. They just don't want to accept Him as Lord of all.
As believers, we must be prepared for the results of righteousness in our lives. When people hold us in high esteem, we must give the glory to God for saving us and changing us by His power. Then, when people persecute us, we must stay faithful to the Lord, knowing that they are feeling guilty because of their sins. They want to get rid of us, so others will not be able to see that they are not righteous by comparing our lives with theirs.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Samuel 21-23.