‘To Do Righteousness and Justice’

‘To Do Righteousness and Justice’

To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

Proverbs 21:3

What is the highest good?  This is a question which philosophers have sought to answer for millenia.  Lawmakers have written codes dedicated to the enforcing of that which is righteous.  Judges have sought to see that justice goes forth. Yet for us, both corporately and individually, we find it utterly impossible to ‘do righteousness  and justice’ with utter consistency. We often reflect both our pride and our prejudice. Even when we see the right, we often do not do the right. If, as our text says, doing ‘righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice,’ then how shall we become acceptable to God, who seem to fail at every turn?  The only answer to that is Christ. He Alone has done ‘righteousness and justice’ perfectly. He has performed all that ‘righteousness and justice’ require. Therefore if we are to be acceptable to God, it must be upon the merits of Christ, ‘imputed to us, and received by faith alone.’ This is our only hope. Therefore, we look to Christ as the Only Redeemer.  He has done ‘righteousness and justice.’ He is acceptable to God. We stand upon all that He has done, and trust in His perfection. We look not to our own works, but to His. ‘He has done all things well.’

Our Holy and Just God,
we rejoice in the things that delight You.
We praise You that Christ has done all things well
on our behalf, and that You accept us in Him.

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning