Proverbs 21:21 — He who pursues righteousness finds life, righteousness, and honor.
How would you define righteousness?
Doing the right thing; easy as A-B-C… or is it?
Paul wrote in Romans 7:15, 19, 23-24 – New Living Translation
15 – I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.
19 – I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.
23-24 – But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?
Who can relate to Paul’s struggle? Where do you struggle?
Pain of Same
What will happen if you don’t change?
Pain of Change
What will you gain if you do change?
Pain Relievers
What Scriptures can you apply, as an antidote, to live righteously?
Pain of Same
Choosing unrighteousness. How would you define it?
Some answers may include — self-righteousness, wickedness. A definition of wickedness — conduct that is out of gross self-centeredness; neither reveres God nor respects man.
Another answer is sin. What does Scripture teach us about sin?
Romans 6:23 – The wages of sin is… DEATH!
Pain of Change
Deuteronomy 30:19 — Choose LIFE!
Pain Relievers
Ephesian 6:11-17 — Put on the armor of God! Roar into battle; you are a child of the most high God!
Pursuit of Righteousness Challenge
1. What prevents you from pursuing righteousness?
2. What encourages you to seek righteousness?
3. What Scriptures can we apply to encourage ourselves and each other to pursue righteousness?
What would it mean if we didn’t struggle?
Romans 7:25 – New Living Translation
25 — Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ, our Lord…
Be relentless in your pursuit of living righteously in the light of the Kingdom to come!
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