UNVEILING THE NEXT LEVELS AGENDA- PART 2 (WALKING IN THE WAY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS)

Preamble:

The Path of the just/righteous is as the shining light says Prov.4:18……

• We have established in our last lesson that the righteousness we are talking about is the imputed righteousness of God given to every child of God.
• We are made righteous in Christ through the work of atonement and sacrifice on the Calvary’s cross.
•  Our task before God today is to seek what is the mind of God concerning the way of righteous, what it implies to walk the ways of the righteous and the outcomes of the life of the righteous.

PRAYER: May God open our eyes and heart of understanding.

 The way of the Righteous and What it Implies : Proverbs 4:18a

1. This is the pathway of the saints who does not do anything outside the counsel of the Lord.

 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful- Psalm 1:1. Their posture always is to avoid ungodliness.

2. The lifestyle of Children of God who work in the light of God and shun the way of darkness- Ephesians 5:8-11; Matt.5:14. We have been called out of the dark world of sin to walk in the marvellous light of God. ( 1 Pet. 2:9). The righteous have nothing to do with the work of darkness and they cannot tolerate them ( Eph.5:11).
3. The lifestyle that stand out for God in terms of being blameless and faultless– Phil.2:15. Gen. 6:9 ( Noah); Eph.1:4 & 1 Thes.3:13 (all children of God); In the corrupt world, the righteous remains undaunted, focused on living like Christ at all times. ”so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people-” Phil 2:15- NLT.  Daniel was a perfect example of living righteously (Daniel 6:4-5). 
4. They walk consistently in the commandment and all ordinances of God– Luke 1:5-6; Psalm 1:2;18:22-23; Joshua 1:8.  Job declared ” my feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His ways without turning aside”.
5. Walking in uprightness and integrity of Heart- 2 Kings 20:5; Psalm 15:2 (1-5). Integrity and uprightness of the heart is a quality of a righteous man. The wholeness of heart speaks of undivided loyalty to God. Matt.6:33 message typifies life of the righteous. Solomon recognised the uprightness of His Father David before God at all times( 1 Kings 3:6; 9:4, but he refused to followed his steps ( 1 Kings 11:4)

1. Outcome of walking in the ways of the Righteous

But the path of the just is as the shining light…

• The shining light speaks of the outcome of living righteously. We shall begin to live in order of shining light where darkness has no control
• The righteous shall be bold and fearless– Prov.28:1

2. They will judge the obedience of others– II Cor.10:4-6
3. They enjoy communion and fellowship of the Lord– Psalm 24 :1-3; 16:11a; 14:5; 1 Kings 9:3,5
4. They attract rewards and the blessings of God– 1 Kings 3:14, 6:12;1 Sam.26:23&  Psa.118:24; Psa.24:4-6.  …10He opens their ears to correction and commands that they turn from iniquity. 11If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness. 12But if they do not obey, then they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.…Job 36:10-12
5. The righteous shall live in dominion- Psalm 37:29-30

Conclusion

THE CENTRAL TRUTH HERE IS THAT GOD WANTS US TO BEGIN TO WALK IN THE PATH OF THE RIGHTEOUS SO WE CAN MOVE INTO NEXT LEVELS SHINNING.