The Paradox Of Job’s SufferingSample

Who is Righteous?

We have concluded that the righteous do enjoy massive advantages both in the present world and in the future. The best is the continuous strengthening and building of the most precious commodity, the soul. The big question is: who is righteous? Who comes under this category? 

The world view would include those who do good, are conscientious, do not have bad habits, etc. So is the traditional Christian view. Most Christians are “good” people but so are many others.

Job is a good person. He helps the poor, is a leader in the community, is well respected, is a man of high integrity, etc. But there is a difference between “goodness” and “righteousness”. A big difference. It is unfortunate that most do not know this difference, or maybe several don’t want to know. It is unfortunate that most of us glide through life thinking our “goodness” will carry us through, along with the tag of being Christians. Jesus himself warns in Matthew 7:21-23 that the most apparently qualified will be disqualified. Only those who do God’s will, will eventually qualify. 

Righteousness comes from doing God’s will and the tricky part is that many think they are but actually aren’t. To truly do God’s will one needs to know God’s will. In order to do that one has to know God which comes from knowing Jesus and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Paul passionately declares that knowledge of Christ surpasses everything else. He adds that this knowledge leads to true righteousness.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Philippians 3:8-10

Those doing good works may not be righteous but the opposite is true. Those who are righteous do good works. Job was righteous because he knew God. He talks of intimacy with God and being led by His light.

Even as saved, growing, believing Christians, it is easy to patch our lives up with the facade of goodness instead of acknowledging what we really are and allowing the Holy Spirit to gradually bring about true righteousness in our lives.