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The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish

Text: Proverbs 10:1-5
3 February 2008

(I) HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND “RIGHTEOUSNESS?”

1. Positional righteousness

We are declared righteous in God’s sight through Christ’s redemption

2. Personal Righteousness

We seek to walk worthy of our calling as redeemed children of God. We will never have “sinless perfection” in life.

3. Practical Righteousness

Good Works ensue as an expression of our righteousness.

(II) EXAMPLES OF PRACTICAL RIGHTEOUSNESS

1. With reference to obtaining wealth

“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.” Proverbs 10:2

a) The wicked will stop at nothing to obtain “treasures”

b) At the end, these treasures come to “nothing”

c) The righteous will not resort to wickedness

d) He will be delivered from death that comes from doing wicked things

2. With reference to speech

“The mouth of the righteous is a well of life,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.” Proverbs 10:11

a) The wicked thinks nothing of speaking evil against people

b) Their words can incite violence

c) The righteous will not speak wicked things

d) Their mouth is a well of life, for their words are life-giving

(III) A PRECIOUS PROMISE TO THE RIGHTEOUS

“The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.” Proverbs 10:3

1. God has two different attitudes:-

a) An attitude to the Wicked

b) An attitude to the Righteous

2. With reference to the wicked

“…He casts away the desire of the wicked.” Proverbs 10:3b

a) He will not respect the wicked

b) The desire of the wicked will be cast aside

3. With reference to the righteous

a) God will especially care for them

b) He will not allow them to be in want

c) He will not see them famish

(IV) A CHALLENGE TO PRACTISE RIGHTEOUSNESS

“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26

1. The human being is made up of two parts

a) The body

b) The spirit

2. True righteousness is also made up of two parts

a) Faith in Christ

b) Works of righteousness

3. True righteousness is evidenced best in good works!