Continuing in Righteousness

Believers must learn to continue in the way of righteousness to establish and strengthen their faith. Though not exhaustive, the scriptures presented provide encouragement and instruction to continue in righteousness.

The Way of Righteousness

After righteousness is imputed to the believer upon profession of faith, believers must continue in the way of righteousness through the leading and instruction given by God. 

Proverbs 15:9 KJV - "The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness."

John 15:9-10 KJV - "9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

Acts 10:35 KJV - "But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him."

1 John 3:7, 10 KJV - "7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. …10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother."

Proverbs 8:20-21 KJV - "20 I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: 21 That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures."

Psalm 5:8 KJV - "Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face."

2 Timothy 3:16 KJV - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Believers are instructed to seek God's righteousness and grow in it.

Matthew 6:33 KJV - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

Hebrews 5:13-14 KJV - "13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Believers are to become instruments and servants of righteousness through obedience.

Romans 6:13-22 KJV - "13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."

Hebrews 12:11 KJV - "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."

James 1:20 KJV - "For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God."

James 3:18 KJV - "And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."

Jesus speaks of John ministering the gospel in the way of righteousness.

Matthew 21:32 KJV - "For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him."

There are blessings for continuing in the way of righteousness.

Proverbs 12:28 KJV - "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death."

Proverbs 16:31 KJV - "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness."

Matthew 5:6 KJV - "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Matthew 5:10 KJV - "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 6:33 KJV - "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

There are adverse consequences for not continuing in the way of righteousness.

2 Peter 2:21 KJV - "For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them."