What does it mean to live for righteousness (1 Peter 2:24)?

Answer

People live their lives for various reasons: happiness, pleasure, wealth, and relationships. However, these pursuits do not bring complete satisfaction without a connection to Christ. What benefit is there for someone to acquire all these things but lose their soul? Or what could anyone offer in exchange for their soul? «For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? », (Matthew 16:26). Those who belong to God have been rescued from sin and death and are instructed to pursue righteousness «who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. », (1 Peter 2:24). By doing so, they anticipate an everlasting reward that cannot be destroyed by moths or stolen by thieves (Matthew 6:19-20).

Jesus carried our sins on the cross and died to atone for them: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of 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.», (2 Corinthians 5:21). Those who have faith in Jesus are liberated from the consequences and the dominion of sin over their lives. Jesus bore their sins on their behalf. Those who are reborn through faith in Christ are deemed righteous in the eyes of God. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we are not bound to a life of sin but can instead pursue righteousness.

Righteousness can be broadly defined as “morally acceptable behavior.” According to the Bible, those who are righteous are those who live in accordance with God’s will.To be acceptable to God is made possible by God. Righteousness implies justice, fairness, or divine holiness. God sets the standard of righteousness. Being righteous means being in alignment with God. The righteousness of Christ is credited to us upon salvation, yet it is also a pursuit we are called to undertake. We are urged to strive for righteousness.

Striving for righteousness entails recognizing wholeheartedly that sin does not please God. Therefore, we seek holiness instead of sinfulness in our thoughts, words, and deeds. Living for righteousness involves aligning even our thought life with what is righteous: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” «Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. », (Philippians 4:8). Living for righteousness means desiring God to renew our minds «And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. », (Romans 12:2) and conform us “to the image of His Son” «For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. », (Romans 8:29).

When believers live for righteousness, they also surrender their words to Christ’s lordship. We no longer speak carelessly, understanding that our words carryPower to reflect Christ well or poorly. Our words should demonstrate the power of God’s grace. For this reason, we are called to “not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” «Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. », (Ephesians 4:29). What God has done in our hearts should be reflected in what comes out of our mouths «A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. », (Matthew 12:35).

Likewise, believers who live for righteousness reveal the Holy Spirit within them and give evidence of the work God is doing in their lives. We no longer live for selfish pleasures, but we desire to live for the things of God. We live for righteousness when we humbly ask God to create in us a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within us «Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. », (Psalm 51:10). We spend time in God’s Word and pursue the character of Christ. We want our actions and our entire lives to be molded by Christ alone.

When we place faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us to live for righteousness «Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. », (Acts 2:28). As we “walk in the Spirit” « This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. », (Galatians 5:16,25) “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”, (Galatians 5:16,25), He produces fruit in our lives that reflects His character. We are “filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11). God’s people are called and enabled to live for righteousness, which brings glory and praise to God. As Proverbs 15:9 says, “The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.”