Proverbs 11.4-6
“Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight, but the wicked falls by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.”
Righteousness is a theme in these verses. In truth, it is a central theme in all of scripture. The bible speaks of two kinds of righteousness:
Positional righteousness. This is righteousness that we receive from God. It is given to us when we trust in Jesus, and it is based on Christ’s sacrificial death. Theologians often describe it as imputed righteousness. Positional righteousness is not earned, it is given. It is a gift of grace that we receive by faith.
Here are three scriptures from the New Testament that describe positional righteousness
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5.21)
“Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” (Romans 4.4-5)
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order 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 comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.” (Philippians 3.8-9)
Practical righteousness. This is doing what is right. It is when people trust God, act with discipline, build skill, and live in alignment with God’s standards. It is practicing your position in Christ. Scripture repeatedly admonishes us to pursue what is right.
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.” (1 Timothy 6.11)
“Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” (Ephesians 4.1)
“As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” (1 Peter 1.14-16)
The book of Proverbs focuses on practical righteousness. It is a library of real-world things we should do and things we should not do. It provides the people of God with instruction on how to be wise, insightful, and skillful in life. It is a guide for doing what is right.
Trust God, do the work, pursue what is right, gain wisdom.
