Finding Nemo is one of my favorite Disney movies of all time. Marlin, Nemo’s father, finds himself in the company of a Sea Turtle named Crush. Marlin and Dory had just bounced their way through a vast school of deadly jellyfish. As Marlin regains consciousness, Crush recounts the story of what he just witnessed. He enthusiastically concludes, “You have serious thrill issues, dude.” After the pair twist and twirl through the East Australian Current, Crush yells, “Righteous, Righteous.”
We all have issues. They may have nothing to do with thrill-seeking. More often than not, our problems are of the more common variety. As we bounce our way through the perils and challenges of life, we get banged up and stung along the way. Perhaps it was a word of criticism from a parent, sibling, friend, or Bully at school. We may face physical health challenges, mental health struggles, or emotional pain. For others, there seems to be too much month at the end of their money.
When life presses in, the last thing we need is someone telling us to get our unrighteous act together. If you have had the wind knocked out of your sail, you know their stinging critique doesn’t help make you a better person. That kind of “help” makes us want to pull away from life rather than press on towards victory. We all need a Crush in our lives to encourage us after a troublesome time. We need someone to believe in us and cheer us forward.
Enter stage center, the Lord Jesus Christ! He is our greatest cheerleader. He provides everything we need to rise above the fray. One of the most amazing things He gives us is righteousness. “But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:17b NLT).
If you have placed your faith in Jesus, the Bible says you are Righteous Dude / Dudette. When we believe what God says about us, our thoughts and actions will follow. If we spend our days thinking we are sinners holding on until Jesus returns, our thoughts and actions will follow the path of sin consciousness. Guilt, shame, and condemnation follow close behind. What we believe and what we focus on is a great predictor of how we will live our lives. Suppose we focus on sin and how to get rid of it. We may become inner-focused and irritable because we feel we don’t measure up. We become critical of others, hard on ourselves, which leaves us feeling defeated. When we focus on the beautiful gift of God’s righteousness, deposited in us, we will live loved. We will be people of grace, operating in kindness, walking in peace, experiencing much joy.
The world does not need more haters. The ability to point out other people’s faults, failures, and shortcomings is not one of God’s gifts to humanity. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.” “For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (see Luke 7:37 -38). Have you heard of the new unit of measurement? I call it the righteousness of Christ in me, you, and us – system.
When we see ourselves as righteous, we will not allow other people’s judgmental attitudes get us down. And we will not judge or condemn ourselves (see 1 Corinthians 4:3 NIV). A hurting person may hurt others. A righteous-minded person encourages, builds up, and blesses others. Our world will be a better place when we walk daily in God’s gift of righteousness. Any righteousness we try to produce ourselves is self-righteousness. Jesus didn’t just give us the gift of righteousness. He gave us himself. Don’t attempt to establish a righteousness of your own. Seek, and receive by faith, the Righteous One. Then you will live a righteous and blessed life (see Matthew 6:33 NIV).
“Father, thank you for providing righteousness through your Son. I receive now, by faith, the gift of righteousness you provide for me. May I always rely on your righteousness and never try to produce my own.”
Live as one gifted with righteousness, and righteousness will transform your world.