Live in Righteousness, even if we think no one is watching
In the beginning, God made light. He wanted a clear distinction between the day and the night. He also talks many times about secrets and sins that happen in the dark, so he uses light to expose the sin that happens in the dark. The things we do in private are not private to God. God see’s our actions, but He also sees our hearts in all things. Just ask Cain.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” He replied. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” Then He said, “What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground!” (Genesis 4: 9-10 HCSB)
Cain and Abel both presented 10% of what they worked to the Lord as a sacrifice, but the Lord credited Abel’s sacrifice as righteous. The reason why is because God can see our hearts. God could see the sin growing in Cain’s heart, even before he acted on it. Cain killing his brother was the action that resulted from his hardened heart.
Living to God’s design doesn’t mean we only need to live in righteousness when we think someone is watching. It means we do it all the time, with purity of heart, because that’s the right thing to do. If we live a simple, humble life, devoted to God, he will find you and bless you for it. Even when we don’t feel seen, God see’s us.
The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.” Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil.” (Job 1: 7-8 HCSB)
Through it all, God saw Job. Job was credited as righteous because he trusted God’s complete power through the good and the bad. When Job’s children would host a round of parties at their homes, Job would purify and offer burnt offerings for them, just in case they had sinned. He lived life in a way that made it clear who he followed, even to Satan.
Then the Lord said, “I will wipe off from the face of the earth mankind, whom I created, together with the animals, creatures that crawl, and birds of the sky-for I regret that I made them.” Noah, however, found favor in the sight of the Lord.” (Genesis 6:7-8 HCSB)
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among his contemporaries; Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6: 9 HCSB)
Mankind got so bad, that God had decided to wipe it all clean. But even in a world full of evil and sin, God saw Noah. Through Noah’s righteousness, God started over. He was proof that God’s plan for how we live our lives can work. No matter what you have going on in your life right now, God see’s you. Even if the world around you in a mess, God can see through the mess. So live your life in a way that honors God’s creation, even if you think no one can see it.
Q: What’s the hardest of Earth’s corruptions to avoid?
Q: What part of God’s ways is the most natural, easy to follow?
Live in Righteousness, because people are watching
“But if it doesn’t please you to worship Yahweh, choose for yourselves today the one you will worship: the gods your fathers worshiped beyond the Euphrates River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my family, we will worship Yahweh.” (Joshua 24: 15 HCSB)
Joshua lived his life in righteousness because he feared and loved God, but also because he knew his life could have profound influence because of who he was. He wanted to make sure it was understood where he and his house stood for two reasons. One was to show his own conviction and make a firm statement on the importance of God in his life. But the other reason was that he was hoping in doing so, he could inspire those listening to make a legitimate change in their lives. He knew the influence he had and was hoping his boldness would inspire others to do the same. Part of God’s plan for our lives is for us to be bold in our faith and inspire others to follow.
“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 14-16 HCSB)
Like Joshua used his boldness to point others to God, Jesus calls us to do the same. God’s design for our lives is to live it in a way that glorifies Him, so that others can follow. He wants us to be that light to point others in the direction of Jesus, and we can’t do that if our lives don’t match what we stand for. If we say love your neighbor, but you talk about feelings of anger and hatred, then you only bring attention to the world and the confusion its messages sends. But if you talk about love and people see you treat others with grace and compassion in a world where others don’t, that stands out to those who see. The key is to do it out of purity in heart, not out of attention.
This saying is trustworthy. If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work. An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy – one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity.” (1 Timothy 3: 1-4 HCSB)
Though this passage from 1 Timothy is talking specifically about church leadership, it also gives us great insight into the type of life we all should be living. Notice many parts of the fruits of the spirit mentioned in it. Things like self-control and gentleness. When we live to this standard, we not only glorify God, but we also inspire those around us to do the same. Live life in a way that is true to his design, and He will be glorified, even in our imperfection.
Q: Is it hard to find the balance between being flawed and living a life in righteousness?
Q: Does this change how we parent and the way we teach what we say, in more than just words?