Pursuring Righteousness

A. God expects us to be in the world but not of the world.

John 17:14-16
14 I have given them Your word and the world has hated them. For they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

15 I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

B. God expects us not to love the world.

1 John 2:15-17
15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever.

C. God expects us to come out from among those who are worldly.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will dwell with them
and walk among them,
and I will be their God,
and they will be My people.”
17 “Therefore come out from among them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you.”

18 And:

“I will be a Father to you,
and you will be My sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.”

D. God expects us to keep pure from the world.

1 Timothy 5:22
22 Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

E. God expects us to be holy.

1 Peter 1:13-16
13 Therefore prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. 15 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

F. God expects us to keep unspotted from the world.

James 1:27
27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

The book of Proverbs contains instructions for youth so that they might live in a proper manner.

Proverbs 1:1-5

1 These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David,
king of Israel,
2 for gaining wisdom and discipline,
for comprehending words of insight,
3 and for receiving instruction in wise living
and in righteousness, justice, and equity.
4 To impart prudence to the simple
and knowledge and discretion to the young,
5 let the wise listen and gain instruction,
and the discerning acquire wise counsel

Proverbs 2:10-15

10 For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will delight your soul.
11 Discretion will watch over you,
and understanding will guard you,
12 to deliver you from the way of evil,
from the man who speaks perversity,
13 from those who leave the straight paths
to walk in the ways of darkness,
14 from those who enjoy doing evil
and rejoice in the twistedness of evil,
15 whose paths are crooked
and whose ways are devious.

B. In Proverbs 4:20-27, Solomon reveals a strategic plan that all can employ to avoid evil.

1. Make wisdom your life’s goal. (20-22)
2. Keep [guard] your hear with all diligence. (23)
3. Never speak deceitfully. (24)
4. Keep your eyes on what is good and pure. (25)
5. Keep your feet from evil ways. (26-27)

Proverbs 4:20-27

20 My son, pay attention to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not lose sight of them;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to the whole body.
23 Guard your heart with all diligence,
for from it flow springs of life.
24 Put away deception from your mouth;
keep your lips from perverse speech.
25 Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze straight ahead.
26 Make a level path for your feet,
and all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your feet away from evil.

1. It is vitally important for every one of us to avoid evil and pursue righteousness.
2. We must heed the instructions given by God in order to be able to accomplish that worthy goal. (Prov. 3:5-8; Phil. 2:14-15)

Proverbs 3:5-8

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 This will bring healing to your body
and refreshment to your bones.

Philippians 2:14-15
14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine as lights in the world

Discussion Questions

1. Define righteousness.
2. What are some things one must do if he is to pursue righteousness?
3. How can a Christian be in the world but not of the world?
4. What does it mean to be holy as God is holy?
5. From Proverbs 4:20-27, how is one to:
   1. Make wisdom his life’s goal?
   2. Guard his heart with all diligence?
   3. Never speak deceitfully?
   4. Keep his eyes on what is good and pure?
   5. Keep his feet from evil ways?

Proverbs 4:20-27

20 My son, pay attention to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not lose sight of them;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to the whole body.
23 Guard your heart with all diligence,
for from it flow springs of life.
24 Put away deception from your mouth;
keep your lips from perverse speech.
25 Let your eyes look forward;
fix your gaze straight ahead.
26 Make a level path for your feet,
and all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your feet away from evil.