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Jesus and Teachings About the Righteous
September 6, 2014

Last week we read proverbs about the heart. The heart represents the essence of who and what we are. Without our physical heart, we will die, and the heart can be turned to good or to evil. When the heart is turned to good the person is often considered righteous. Sometimes the heart can play tricks on the mind and an evil person sees himself as righteous. Today we will review teachings about the righteous and begin with an example of a group of people Jesus saw as only outwardly righteous but who were inwardly corrupt.

Luke 18:9-14
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Sometimes, those who are the most corrupt are those in positions of moral authority. Being in a position of moral authority requires a higher standard of conduct and sometimes people abuse the trust given to them. In the example of the parable, Jesus shows it is better to consider the cause of the person who considers their sins to be of greater concern to them individually then those who wish to appear righteous to others. Being righteous is not an act; it is a way of life, and others do benefit from the actions of a righteous person.

Proverbs 29:2
When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

People rejoice when the righteous are in authority because they know that when righteousness and authority are married it greatly benefits all who answer to that authority. People know they will be treated with equality and fairness and will not be an object of personal gain. Finding a righteous person is hard. Paul recorded his comment in the book of Romans.

Romans 3:10
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

When the righteous are in authority, those subject to the authority know they will benefit. Sadly, as Paul wrote finding a righteous person is hard to do. Most who are considered righteous only have an outward appearance of righteousness.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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