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Bible Will I Find: That Righteousness
By: Gary Colley
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Bible Will I Find: That Righteousness
By: Gary Colley
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This is not a "chimney corner" Scripture that is found in Proverbs 14:34. The full text reads, "Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people." The word "exalteth" indicates continual action, meaning righteousness keeps on exalting a nation as long as it is practiced! The Psalmist said that all of God's commandments are righteousness (Psalm 119:172). The apostle John said in the New Testament, "Little children, let not man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous" (I John 3:7). Those who obey the commandments of the Lord are righteousness, but those who disobey are unrighteous and sinful (I John 3:4). God's plan for making men righteous today is found in the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17). The Gospel declares that man is made righteous before God by faith (Romans 10:17), repentance (Luke 13:3, Luke 13:5,
Acts 2:28), confession of the name of Christ (Romans 10:9-10), and baptism into Christ for the remission of sins (Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27). Man continues to be righteous in harmony with the grace of God, by doing the works "which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:8-10), as he or she denies "ungodliness and worldly lust," and lives "soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" (Titus 2:11-12). In actuality only individuals can be Christians, but when men speak of a "Christian nation" we understand they speak of a nation in which men seek to honor God and His Word. Can this be said of America today? Indeed there ar many faithful Christians in this great nation of ours, who strive to uphold the principles of righteousness, but there are many who are trying to tear our nation apart! It is enough to give great concern to thinking people! In 1962, prayer was banned in public schools. In 1963, you could no longer read the Bible in school. In 1980, the Ten Commandments were not even allowed to be displayed in the schools. These were all declared illegal, while the teaching of "safe sex," passing out preventatives to teach protection instead of abstinence, were all declared legal! On January 22, 1973, nine black robed Supreme Court Justices brought in a law that has allowed legally for 20,000,000 abortions! Young girls can now have an abortion without parental permission, but cannot take an aspirin in school without permission! These unrighteous acts will not exalt our nation!