As I've previously mentioned, righteousness is a gift from God that we receive by faith in Jesus Christ. It gives us access to God's presence and the right to be in covenant with Him. For today's message, we're asking the question - is that enough, is that all there is to it, is it as simple as just praying a prayer of faith, declaring that I'm now righteous and going about my everyday life ... or does God expect anything more of me?
I'd like to answer that question by referring to the below example:
Imagine that righteousness was like an access card or maybe even an Identity Document (ID) or passport. It's something that indicates that you have a right to enter a particular building or in the case of an ID or passport, the right to be in that specific country. Without it, you wouldn't be allowed to go in - so that is what God's gift of righteousness is like ... The other side of this however, is having an understanding that even though we now have access to enter that country, there's still an expectation of us to adhere to the laws that govern that country. In the same, when it comes to God's kingdom, righteousness grants us access, but it doesn't mean we can just conduct ourselves however we want to or make up our own set of rules as we go along, nor go about our business as though our decisions/actions don't have any consequences ... Fortunately for us, God's Word and Spirit provides us with all the information needed to succeed in this life and to live a life that's pleasing unto Him, according to His will.
So to come back to the question, the answer is yes, God does expect more of us. He doesn't want us to be passive citizens. He wants to see us thrive and succeed as citizens of His kingdom, by learning more about Him, growing in our relationship with Him, learning how His kingdom operates, how to apply His word and principles, to be effective in the work He's called us to, etc.
Let's take a look at some scriptures highlighting this point:
Philippians 2:12-13
So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.
1 Timothy 4: 7-16
Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
John 14:12 NKJV
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
2 Timothy 3:16,17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Colossians 1:9-10
For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Titus 3:3-8
But when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good.
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
James 2:14-26
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
John 15:4-6
Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
John 15:8
My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My disciples.
It's clear from the above passages that God's gift of righteousness (by placing our faith in Jesus Christ for our eternal salvation) is not a once off event. That there's more to it than just accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour and calling ourselves Christians or children of God. There's an expectation - not from man - but from God - to bear fruit, to be productive, to be effective, to be transformed, to embrace His way - His will - His heart - His outlook/perspective - His truth - to be like Him and to love Him.
Now we are all at different stages in our journey or relationship with God, and hopefully, we are improving every year that goes by. No one on this journey is perfect, we all make mistakes, we all face temptation, setbacks and challenges, discouragement, disappointments, etc. We all get impatient (with ourselves and others), we can often make the mistake of comparing ourselves with others, etc. - bottom line, we're all hopefully progressing in the right direction as we trust in God to help us and others. Amen.
I trust that you've enjoyed this series and were able to share this with others as well. I'd also encourage you to read through the below series which covers, in more detail, how we can develop our relationship with God.
Shining our Light:
https://unlessjesusbuilds.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20our%20Light
Developing Intimacy with God:
https://unlessjesusbuilds.blogspot.com/search/label/Developing%20Intimacy%20with%20God
Amen