Righteousness: The Basis of Quality of Life

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)

Jesus declared that "righteousness" is the most important thing to pursue in this life. After His death on the Cross, the Kingdom of Heaven enters every believer through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 14: 17)

What is the context of this verse? The Sermon on the Mount, in which our Heavenly Father feeds the birds and clothes the flowers.

The birds and the flowers are powered and provided by God the Father, and He does the same  for us:

"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. " (Romans 5: 21)

This grace empowers to do all things:

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15: 10)

We are not called to strive in our own efforts, but rather to rest in His righteousness, and thus His grace guides us and supplies us and blesses us in all that we do.

Paul expounds to Titus further what God's grace does in our lives:

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

"Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

'Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." (Titus 2: 11-14)

Grace brings salvation into our lives, not just for heaven but for our walk on the earth, as well. The grace of God teaches to avoid sin and live righteously. Grace also opens our eyes, that we may see and receive the certainty of good in our lives.

This is the quality life that people are looking for. We know what to do, what not do, we receive all that we need, and more, and we do not have to strive or suffer to make it in this life.

This grace explodes in our life based on our standing, and our standing is the righteousness of God in Christ!