Parenting by the Book
STUDY 68
Text: Proverbs 10
13 October 2002
Dear Parents,
THE DOCTRINE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The Book of Proverbs emphasizes the doctrine of righteousness, and well it should. However, Proverbs does not teach all we need to know about righteousness. Let us discover what we mean when we speak of studying the Scriptures as an integrated theology.
1. Imputed Righteousness
The New Testament teaches us very clearly this aspect of righteousness that the Book of Proverbs does not cover. The Apostle Paul taught this great truth concerning imputed righteousness in the Book of Romans.
What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found
according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works,
he has something to boast about, but not before God.
For what does the Scripture say?
‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him
for righteousness.’Romans 4:1-3
When we attempt to teach our children how to live righteously, we must begin here! They need to know and believe the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour! Until that happens, it would be impossible to teach children how to be righteous! They must first be cleansed and washed from their sins. Only after they have been declared righteous would they be able to start working on developing a life of righteousness!
2. Personal righteousness
It is also important that we understand this concept properly. Personal righteousness is not just doing the right things in the sight of men. It actually stems from the reality of faith in Christ. A person who is truly born again would desire to live a life that is righteous. When he cultivates his faith carefully, he will find that his faith affects every area of his life. The believer then builds on the concept of imputed righteousness and in the process of time, develops a life of personal righteousness.
CONTRIBUTION OF THE BOOK OF PROVERBS ON THE SUBJECT OF PERSONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS
The Book of Proverbs contributes towards the concept of personal righteousness, rather than imputed righteousness. Each statement, each individual proverbial saying must be carefully evaluated. Taken as a whole, the wise sayings found in the Book of Proverbs challenge us to think at a deeper level what we mean when we speak of personal righteousness. Proverbs does not provide a formula for achieving righteousness!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie