Religious vs Righteous
-Introduction
-Sometimes, we can have words that share some similarity that can be, at the same time,
very different.
-Consider the words “warm” and “hot.” These are related words; yet, we know there
can be quite a difference in a “warm” day and a “hot” day.
-Grandma’s saying - “That’s h-o-t warm.”
-Within the topic of religion, we find two words that certainly are related but are also
very different - “religious” and “righteous.”
-Obviously, these words are related. Yet, in this lesson, we’ll consider how different
that can also be.
-Consider this: A person can be religious without being righteous. However, a
person cannot be righteous without being religious.
-Very important: God wants people to be righteous rather than simply being religious.
-Unfortunately, I’m afraid there are many people who realize the importance of being
religiously minded but don’t understand the true meaning and avenue of
righteousness nor the importance and necessity of pursuing it.
-Religious Idolaters
-religious - Merriam-Webster Dict. - “1. related or devoted to an acknowledged reality or
deity 2. of or relating to religious beliefs or observances 3. scrupulously
and conscientiously faithful 4. fervent; zealous
-In regards to the first part of this definition, let’s first note that an acknowledged deity
may not be an actual deity.
-Consider the numerous times - both O.T. & N.T. - when idolatrous beliefs and practices
were condemned. People acknowledged and worshiped false (non-existent) deities.
-The acknowledgement of a false deity leads one away from the one, true God.
-Idolaters were/are religious. However, obviously, they are not righteous.
-Acts 17 - Paul at Mar’s Hill
-vs 16, 22-23
-vs 22 - “very religious in all respects” (NAS); “you are very religious” (NIV)
-They were religious; yet, they lacked righteousness.
-Religiously Un-Righteous Jewish Leaders
-Can a person find a more harsh rebuke than that of our Lord’s rebuke of the Jewish
leadership in Matthew 23?
-Were those Jewish leaders religious? Certainly! Were they righteous? Certainly not!
-Were the Jewish leaders following idolatrous ways similar to the Athenians? No. They
claimed to serve the true God of heaven and had a desire to do so.
-Could/should they have recognized the difference between their religiousness and
their lack of righteousness? Absolutely, but how?
-John 5:39, 45-47; Luke 16:29-31; Luke 24:44
-By looking at the Jewish leaders, we can see the dangers of establishing our own standard
of righteousness - Rom 10:1-3
-As we discussed last Sunday evening, God has provided us with the standard of
righteousness - His system of faith which produces the proper type of faith - a
Biblical, obedient faith (see Rom 1:5, 16:26).
-Isa 57:12 - “I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit
thee.”
-Luke 16:15
-A religiously minded person must make sure that his beliefs, practices and pursuits are in
accordance with God’s word.
-A Sincerely Wrong Man
-We know that Saul of Tarsus was a severe persecutor of Christians.
-Acts 24:16 - Saul persecuted Christians with a clear conscience - because he thought it
was the right, God-pleasing thing to do.
-Saul was sincere in his beliefs and practices. Yet, he couldn’t have been more wrong.
-Acts 22:3-4 - He was extremely zealous. He had great intentions.
-Acts 26:9
-Sincerity and zealousness are no substitute for the pursuits of righteousness.
-Many religious people are extremely sincere and zealous. Tragically, many are sincerely
wrong and zealously pursue that which is contrary to the truth of God’s word.
-Are We Pursuing Righteousness?
-We must realize that there is only one path to righteousness.
-On our own, we cannot be righteous in the sight of God - Rom 3:10.
-But, by responding to His offer of salvation through obedience to the Gospel, we can
be made righteous by God thanks to the blood of Jesus.
-Rom 6:16-19
-It’s only “in Christ” that we can be righteous - Phil 3:9, 2 Cor 5:21
-We must then pursue the paths of righteousness - 1 Tim 6:11.
-How do we do that? Study, learn and apply the scriptures - 2 Tim 3:16
-What about you? Do you realize the difference between being religious and righteous?
-Have you responded in obedience to the Gospel? Are you pursuing the paths of
righteousness?
-If you haven’t obeyed the Gospel, that’s what you need to do! Believe (John 3:16;
8:24); Confess (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10); Repent (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 17:30); Be
Baptized (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Gal 3:26-29)
-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel, but have not been faithful, then acknowledge your
shortcomings, repent of them and pray for forgiveness (1 Jn 1:7-9, Acts 8:22-24).