In His Righteousness

“And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. “Malachi 3:3 

“in righteousness. ‘…does not refer to the nature of the sacrifices, as righteous sacrifices, i.e., such as correspond to the law, but to the moral character of the offerers, that they will attend to the offering of sacrifice in a proper state of heart,” “The days of the olden time and years of the past are the times of Moses, or the first years of the sojourn in the desert.” K and D

” …in the time of Malachi, the sacrifices of the nation were displeasing to God, not merely on account of the sins of the people, but chiefly on account of the badness of the sacrificing priests.” K and D

” …for even the officers, or ministers, whose duty it is to open and shut the doors of the temple, and to kindle fire on the altar, will not perform their office without making a gain of it, or receiving fees for it. I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord — I cannot take pleasure in men so intent upon their own profit as ye are.” Benson

” …under the gospel I will put an end both to your priesthood and the sacrifices which you offer. This is implied in the next verse.” Benson

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. “

“And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: ” Isaiah 11:3

“But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Isaiah 11:1-6
And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit upon it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hasting righteousness.” Isaiah 16:5

Isaiah 32:17  And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.

  “Surely, shall one say, in the Lord have I righteousness and strength.” Isaiah 45:24 “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Jeremiah 23:6 

Jesus opened His famous sermon on the mount with:

 ” For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 and  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;” Matthew 6:33

The Word again rang out through Paul against Elymas the sorcerer, in Acts 13:10  ” O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?”

Folks, the enemy of Christ’ righteousness , Elymas, perverts the way of the Lord. Next, Paul starts right in in the book of Romans, ” For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17

  “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested,” Romans 3:21

Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ” Romans 3:22

  “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,” Romans 4:6 

Beloved, “Proverbs 14:34 teaches us,

“Righteousness exalteth a nation.”

Psalm 145:7 “They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.
Proverbs outlines a course toward righteousness in chapter 2:

• My son, if thou wilt receive my words,
• and hide my commandments with thee; 
•   So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and
• apply thine heart to understanding; 
• Yea, if thou criest after knowledge,
• and liftest up thy voice for understanding; 
• If thou seekest her as silver,
• and searchest for her as for hid treasures; 

Proverbs 2:5  “Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. 
and — Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.”  Proverbs 2:9 

Wisdom speaks:

Proverbs 8:8  All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. Proverbs 8:18  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: Proverbs 8:20 

Friends, by the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness we will reign in life by one Jesus Christ. Love ya