by Dr. David Lewis, Director of Christian Life

"In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil" Job 1:1.

At the very outset of the book of Job, we are introduced to a man who is described as one who is "righteous," who "reveres God," and who "shuns evil." Job would fit the characterization of the Psalmist's admonition: "Delight yourself in the Lord... Commit your way to the Lord... He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn" (Psalm 37:4-6).

Righteous living is not a popular notion in our modern age. Today's message is one of "compromise" and "tolerance." The "shadow" is preferred to the "light" because it will gather greater numbers into its "big tent." Broadening the narrow road is humanity's attempt to manipulate compassion. This distorted view of "love" fails to recognize the deceitful ugliness of sin. God is thus relegated to a creation of man -- an idol more palatable to man's own corrupt nature and inventions.

In order for our lives to be authentically righteous we must first revere God -- recognizing Him truly, and humbly submitting ourselves to His rightful divine authority. He is Lord and God, the Perfect Embodiment of Righteousness. As He increases in our lives so will His righteousness increase in us. As our hearts and minds are continually renewed by His abiding presence we will begin to more fully recognize the cunning masquerades of sin. Sin by its very nature is deceitful. It lures the unsuspecting with images of grandeur, but its true heart is death. Righteousness does not co-exist with sin. There is no "common ground" and therefore no room for "compromise" or "tolerance."

One of our greatest needs today is to rediscover the beauty of godly righteousness. At the same time, we must also revive a disdain for sin. The description of Job offers hope. Job revered God, lived righteously, and shunned evil. Can we likewise be described? Will our righteousness shine like the dawn? God is glorified in righteousness. Will we offer ourselves in worship to God by righteous living? I pray that this is the intent of our hearts.