As an introduction to this month's series on 'Today's Message' I sent out a mailer to those on my email list. (I've never done that before) I felt that this was important enough to try to get all of them to forward my note to their email lists. I don't know how successful the progression has become but I do know that what I put in that note is put forth in this Chapter 11 of the book of Proberbs. RIGHTEOUSNESS ! It's one of the three elements alloted in the description of the 'Kingdom of God' in Romans 14:17... "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."
See you tomorrow, Pastor Herb
How do we get this element? I'm glad you asked... If you turn to II Corinthians chapter 5 lets start in verse 17... "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was is Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." II Corin 5:17-21
So every time you see that word in this proverb it's not just an action that you do or don't do. It's a condition that you've become once you've exchanged your sin for His Righteousness at the cross of Christ. Then all you have to do is get in 'balance' (verse 1). How's your balance in all your dealings? Ever have your thumb on the scale?