Have you ever been that person who no matter what evidence was presented, you refused to be wrong? I have been that person more than once. That is called “rightness,” and it is often confused as “righteousness.”
I have since learned this principle: I don’t need to be right; I need to know the truth. If you’re struggling with this as I was, be sure to tune into this episode of the Faith-Rest podcast on the Charisma Podcast Network.
Jesus showed us what true righteousness looked like. It looked like the fruits of the Spirit made manifest. It looked like sinners flocking to Him. In fact, I tell my church one way to know if you’re walking in the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus is to ask this simple question: Do sinners like you? I’m not talking about moral compromise; I’m talking about walking in the way that Jesus walked. I’m talking about living a life so holy it invites others into holiness. I’m talking about the kindness of God that leads people to repentance.
It is so important we do not sacrifice the cause of righteousness on the altar of being right. In this time of political unrest and chaotic elections, we need to stand up and show a better way. That way looks like the wisdom from above. Consider this passage from James 3:
“But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, do not boast and do not lie against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and devilish. For where there is envying and strife, there is confusion and every evil work.
“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:14-18).
I want to encourage you to ask the Lord if you are operating in a lower wisdom. If you need to be right more than you need to know the truth, that is called “selfish ambition.” We need to be those who harvest righteousness and make peace in the midst of chaos. You have been empowered by the very Spirit of God to do this very thing. Let us walk in a manner worthy of the calling we have received!
For more on how you can walk in righteousness rather than rightness, listen to the full episode here. {eoa}
