My question is simple, “Why do many people resist the way of the righteous as described in Scripture?” Even some church-goers have issues with us who claim to be found righteous. Their most-given response is, “These are ‘self-righteous,’ or sometimes, ‘narcissistic.’” The Psalmist writes about the righteous like this,

“How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. The wicked are not like this; instead, they are like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked will not survive the judgment, and sinners will not be in the community of the righteous. For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to ruin.” Psalm 1 HCSB.

Isaiah 26:7 (a) reads, “The path of the righteous is level…” and  Proverbs 4:18, “The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.” The way of the wicked is just the opposite of those who are not.

From the Apostle Paul, we find these words, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. For in it God’s righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17. And this one statement has opened the vast meaning of Paul’s letters. And all who are in Christ are in Him because of this, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:4-9. We now come to this, “since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through Him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2.

Our righteousness does not find substance in who we think we are, but rather has been appropriated by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Now, I will complete this by again quoting Paul, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 1 Corinthians 5:20-21.

Jesus remains Lord.