Pursuit of Righteousness

Much has been made about the pursuit of holiness, that most eager and beneficial quest.  However, the focus on chasing holiness, as it pertains to sanctification, can often neglect another parallel though not synonymous endeavor: the pursuit of righteousness.  Whereas the pursuit of holiness is intent on the purification that is part of sanctification, the pursuit of righteousness is concerned with seeking God's absolute moral good, His justice.

Proverbs says, "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor (Pro. 21:21)."  Or, as Solomon writes earlier, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Pro. 15:9)." It can be easily seen, then, that pursuing righteousness is both encouraged and rewarded.  It should then seem as no surprise that Paul also exhorted Timothy to pursue righteousness (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22).

A working definition of righteousness is in order. Righteousness is a character trait possessed by God, referring to His moral perfection.  His righteousness is based on who He is, in that, He is morally perfect and just in His very being.  Thus, the pursuit of righteousness can be summed up as a purposed pursuit of God, particularly of His morality.

The pursuit of righteousness then differs from the pursuit of holiness in that it is based on the specifics of His moral perfection and justice.  Although holiness is intimately tied to this, righteousness is that which is right, and God being ultimately the right, the pursuit of righteousness is the pursuit of God, focused like a lazer on His justice.  Logically, the practical question needs to be asked, "how do you pursue righteousness?"

Because righteousness is defined as the perfect morality and faultless justice of God, the pursuit thereof reflects the fervent study and personal application of God's righteousness.  Luckily, and not surprisingly, the pursuit of righteousness is intricately tied to the study of Christ Jesus.  Think of it, Jesus represents the perfect meting out of God's justice while simultaneously acting as the living example of His absolute moral perfection.

Therefore, the pursuit of righteousness necessitates the study of Jesus as the Christ.  Understanding that Jesus acted out the righteousness of God in that He became the instrument of God's justice, to pursue righteousness is to pursue Christ.  Let us then study, pray, and pursue Christ Jesus so as to seek after the righteousness of God!