Alack of believing the Word is what causes us to not get what righteousness actually is
i john 3:Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
apparently John had the " right and wrong mindset" regarding what we actually do whether right, or wrong. to say im righteous is one thing, what We do is what defines that righteousness. truly its a free gift, meant for us to excercise and live and walk in, doing the right, and casting the wrong away.
if i
steal from you, i have
sinned, if i
offer help to you in your time of need ive acted in
righteousness. if i
lie to you, I have
sinned, If i
speak the truth to you, im acting in
righteousness. If I tell someone
I saw you steal something, when you did not steal it, i have born
false witness against you and have
sinned. if i say "
I didnt see anyone steal anything" I have acted in
righteousness.
If
I covet your wife or possessions that leads to
envy, I have
sinned, If I have
no desire for your wife and possessions, am Happy for your success, I am acting in
righteousness. if i
sleep with your wife while you are at work, or
cheat with another woman when im married, ive commited
adultery and Have
sinned. If I am
faithful to my Wife, and if im unmarried and
refuse to sleep with another mans wife, I have acted in
righteousness.
No matter How we try to explain it it remains the same. If I am
acting according to what God said is
right I am righteous, if i act in the things He said is
Sin, I am sinning.
surely Christ Gave us righteousness, for He gave us the holy spirit. the error is trying to make what we actually do, meaningless, Christ made us able, thats How He has given the gift of Righteousness. the power to act according to the ways of God. at the same time, when we sin, we Have an advocate , interceeding for us. we have been given all we need already. our place is to grow in it and practice in it, repent of the sin, and follow the gift of righteousness. righteous is, as righteous does. not what we have done in the past, what we do today, tomorrow and always Having been given that Gift. His righteousness is real, tangible it changes us if we allow it to do so, but always, it is our place to act in the things of God and not try to change what things are.