By Rick Liggin
To be “righteous” is to be such as one ought to be when measured by God’s standard. Those who are right with God are those who have brought their lives into harmony with His law and who are trying to keep His Word. They are continually “walking in the same manner as He walked” (1 Jno. 2:3-6).
It is distressing, however, to note that some Christians seems to have developed a faulty view of righteousness. In the minds of some, it seems that all one has to do to be righteous is hold the right doctrinal positions; as long as he believes (and maybe defends) the right doctrines, he is right with God. But contrary to this idea, the Bible teaches that there is more to being righteous than just believing the right doctrines. We need to learn the lesson that doctrine must affect our conduct in order for us to be right with God.
A good example of how doctrine is to affect conduct can be seen in Peter’s second epistle (3:1-18). In this text, some were denying the Lord’s final return; they did not believe that He was really coming back (3:1-7). Peter argues the correct doctrine on this topic, assuring us that the Lord indeed will return; and that His coming will result in the total destruction of our physical world (3:8-10). Peter then says: “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (3:11). As a natural outgrowth of the right doctrine, our conduct ought to be affected; we should be moved to conduct ourselves in a godly manner!
The point is that being right with God involves more than just believing right doctrines. You can take the right position on every Bible doctrine, and even defend it; but if that doctrine does not affect your life, then you’re not yet righteous! If you want to be right with God, do more than just believe all the right doctrines. Apply those doctrines to your life!
This bulletin is being published for the purpose of encouraging a further study of the Word of God. Editor – Josh Liggin
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