To successfully pursue the righteousness that comes from God, you have to make it your goal to please Him. You have to avoid things that are offensive to God in your thoughts, speech, and actions. When immoral thoughts come to your mind, you kick them out of your mind because you know that they are not pleasing to God.
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
~2 Timothy 2:16
Avoid silly jokes. Some Christians talk too much. Do you know there are some companies that are not pleasing to God? Hanging out with certain people, in certain environments, talking stupidly, and chattering unnecessarily lead to more ungodliness. As a child of God, you have to be mindful of the way you talk, and the kind of people you stay with.
Some time ago, some secular humanists sneaked into the church, and promoted what they call “Relational evangelism”. In other words, for me to save a soul, I need to hang out with the person. I need to hang out with sinners so I can save them. Now, that’s a lie. You don’t save the world by hanging out with them, you save them by coming out of them.
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
~2 Corinthians 6: 17
It is your distinction as a Christian that attracts them. It is your distinction that establishes the contrast. It is the law of contrast that now allows them to see that there is something different about you. You can’t be fooling around with unbelievers, and expect them to be saved. You can’t be cracking jokes, laughing and playing with people that are not saved, and then expect to influence them for Christ. That’s not walking in God’s righteousness. You’re just like somebody who jumped into a pit to save another person who is already in the pit. Both of you will now need deliverance. And I’ve seen a lot of Christian folks who actually need deliverance.
If your best friend is an unbeliever, then something is wrong with you. Someone once said to me, “I really don’t like to stay around Christians; I like to stay around unbelievers. You know there is just something wrong with these church people.” I simply told him in reply, “You have backslidden; that’s the truth about your life. You now need deliverance.” If this describes you, just know that you’re a big fool. You’re just looking for an opportunity to sin. You’re looking for a way to backslide. You are no longer walking in the righteousness that comes from God.
“I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’”
~Psalm 122: 1(KJV)
David rejoiced in the company of God’s people. So you should strive at all times to do those things that are pleasing in God’s sight – this is what it means to pursue righteousness.
Memory Verse:
2 Corinthians 6: 17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”Prayer:
Father, strengthen me to only say things that are pleasing to You, and to keep company with only those who please You, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.