Hot pursuit!

Proverbs 15:9
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who follows righteousness.

Pay close attention to what the Bible says here: the way of those guilty of sin is disgusting to the Lord, but God loves those who pursue His righteousness. When we put it into that perspective we can see how we fit into the verse. Through the cross of Christ and His finished work we are justified and made righteous. We are forgiven of sin, without asking, begging or pleading. That’s what grace is all about. If we had to ask for forgiveness it would cheapen grace and make it mercy, but the truth is this: whether we admit it or not, all of our sins are forgiven. Both the Christian and the non-Christian have this grace in their lives.

It’s a confession of faith in Jesus and the pursuit of a relationship with Him that makes us a Christian, not the forgiveness of sins. Because of the grace of Christ, God is no longer looking to punish us for our sins. He punished all sin for all time in the body of His Son, Jesus. Instead, He’s looking to establish a relationship with us based on righteousness. This isn’t our righteousness, but His righteousness given to us through the cross (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Just because Christ died for sin on the cross doesn’t mean that we’ve stopped sinning; it just means He’s forgiven us. Our sins in life are still disgusting to God, but He’s not seeking to punish us for them. Once we come to the realization that Christ died for our sins and has already forgiven us, preemptively, we can begin to understand what the pursuit of righteousness really is.

The pursuit of righteousness isn’t some way of living by which we stop doing things wrong and are suddenly able to fulfill all the requirements of the law. If it was, we wouldn’t have needed Christ in the first place. I think God made His point that we are incapable of living into His requirements back in the Garden. He gave one rule and we couldn’t follow that one! How on earth are we to believe that following righteousness could possibly be related to our own abilities to do good?

The truth is our pursuit of righteousness now is entirely wrapped up in our pursuit of Jesus. The more we look for and find Him (Matthew 7:7, Luke 11:9), the more we are loved and favored by God. It’s not because of our work, but because of Jesus. God loves it when we seek Christ and find Him. According to Christ’s words, when we seek His righteousness all of the other things necessary for life will be added to us (Matthew 6:33). This is a promise from the Lord; let’s grab hold of it!

Is what you’ve done or is what you’re doing an abomination to the Lord? Quite possibly. But realize this: He’s imparted His righteousness to your soul. He’s forgiven your sins and sees you as He sees Jesus: perfect in every way. You may look at your body and see old age, disease, poor health, regrets, mistakes, and failures, but that’s not what God sees. When God looks at you He sees the glorious shining light of Jesus Christ. He sees you healthy, prosperous, and totally restored. Seek Jesus and know that God loves you!