“In the way of righteousness is life, And in its pathway there is no death [but immortality–eternal life].”

Proverbs 12:28 AMP

As we leave chapter 12 of Proverbs, we are reminded of what is really important, the way of righteousness! From the beginning of our journey, we have clearly seen that our moral and ethical behavior and stance is what makes all the difference between blessing and cursing. I am reminded of the Scripture in the book of Deuteronomy,

““Behold, today I am setting before you a blessing and a curse– 27the blessing, if you listen to and obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I am commanding you today; 28and the curse, if you do not listen to and obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following (acknowledging, worshiping) other gods which you have not known.”

Deuteronomy 11:26-27 AMP

I often hear the phrase, “why does a loving God allow these things to happen?” In reality, many of the problems and situations we find ourselves in are of our own making. The Scripture repeatedly give us a choice of receiving the promise of God over the fruit of sin. Our verse today uses the word “way.” The Hebrew word here means “conduct or a manner of conduct as a way of life.” So, we see that there is a choice to be made! Satan offers a “way” of life, and that end is clear,

“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor (perversely) effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers [whose words are used as weapons to abuse, insult, humiliate, intimidate, or slander], nor swindlers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God.” 

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 AMP

The promise of God however is quite different,

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

Psalms 16:11 AMP

So how does one move from this life of unrighteousness to a life filled with the pleasures of God? The answer is very simple, you can’t! Nothing that you can do on your own can ever make up for the unrighteous things that filled your life. The good news is however Jesus has made a way! Because Christ lived the perfect life, He gave his life for those of us who were lost in our sin. 

“He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].” 

2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP

The Apostle Paul reminded the church at Corinth that they used to walk in unrighteousness but now they should walk a new way.

“And such were some of you [before you believed]. But you were washed [by the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior].” 

1 Corinthians 6:11 AMP

Remember that we are not talking about the forgiveness of our sin when we are talking about living a righteous life. If we have confessed with our mouth and believed in our hearts that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, we are saved.  This discussion is about the ordering of our lives to be the reflection of what God had intended for man before Satan introduced sin. I essence, we are “working out” our sanctification and allowing the new life in Christ to blossom forth. Then, and only then can we begin to experience the blessings of walking in the righteousness of Christ! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken