Being Right with God

“The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself.” Romans 1:17 NCV

“Righteousness” is a big word in the Bible. It’s used hundreds of times. For example, the Bible says that
God loves righteousness, and that God is righteous. It says that one day God is going to judge the world
in righteousness. Psalm 23 says that God leads us in the paths of righteousness. But what in the world
does this word “righteousness” really mean. Theological dictionaries give a lot of definition but for the
purpose of defining it for this devotional it is two things: Righteousness is a relationship and a lifestyle.

Righteousness simply means being right with God. Romans 1:17 says, “The Good News shows how God
makes people right with himself” (NCV). The Good News is that God made us right with himself through
Jesus’ death as payment for our sins. Because of Jesus’ death, we can have a personal relationship with
God.

Righteousness is also a lifestyle. It means living right, as God intends. The Bible says in 1 John 2:29, “All
who practice righteousness are God’s true children” (The Message).

So why should you care about being right with God? Because it’s the only way to live, and it’s the only
way to heaven.

When you are disconnected from God, you’re not really living; you’re just existing. Most people in the
world aren’t really fully alive. They just exist, trying to make it to the weekend. But to be disconnected
from your Creator who made you for a purpose is nonsense.

Life is not about the acquisition of things or the achievement of goals. Life is about getting to know God
—the one who loves you and made you for a purpose. You’re not really living until you’re right with God
and have a relationship with him. Righteousness is also the way you get to heaven. God created heaven
as a place for his children whom he loves, and he wants you to be with him forever. He wants you to be
in heaven, but he’s not going to force you to go to heaven. You can choose to be disconnected from God
here on Earth, but when your life on Earth is done, you will not be given a second chance to choose
where you spend eternity.

God gives you the choice right now to have a relationship with him. He wants you to choose to love him!
And when you do, you will be made right with him. It will change your life - here on Earth and for
eternity!

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

✅ If God makes you right with him, why does he still want you to learn and grow in spiritual maturity?

✅ What does it mean to have a relationship with God? What does that look like in your life?

✅ In your own words, how would you explain righteousness to someone else? What difference has it
made in your life to be made right with God?