KINGDOM ACADEMY

Course:

Kingdom of God

Assignment No:

Lecturer:

Rev. Niyi Morakinyo

Assignment topic:

The Righteousness of God

Date:

22nd June 2012

Student No:

S/KA1001/JG 12

Submitted under the Kingdom of God course in partial fulfilment of the Diploma in Christian/Kingdom Ministries

Practically explain how walking in righteousness would lead to the production of EACH of the fruits of righteousness stated in (1)-(10) below.
1) Q - Righteousness leads to prosperity and physical blessings A Applicable definitions of righteousness. a. Right standing as a new man I can access the rights and privileges of a son of God which include all things in this world. b. Right heart the righteous man lends a hand where he can, in turn he is never forsaken or abandoned. If I a practice righteousness by being helpful, generous with my resources and time then I can expect a return in wellbeing. Further in 2Chr.1:11,12, King Solomon had pure motives in asking for wisdom rather than anything else, and so God rewarded him with exceeding wealth, status, power and so on. c. Right thinking with the mind of Christ, the righteous person plans and executes accurately with correct timing and appropriate resources; they are wise. d. Right judgement/decisions righteousness involves the use of judiciousness, prudence and wisdom which together will lead to correct and appropriate decisions, producing prosperity and blessings e. Justice and equity acting in righteousness means applying justice and fairness. This in turn will lead to a positive reputation and goodwill. It will make it easier to engage and cultivate networks enhancing ones productivity and consequently prosperity and blessings. f. Right speaking/truth telling the truth as a lifestyle will attract positive relationships and avoid unnecessary and costly disagreements. As above, it will also boost ones image and reputation reducing the cost of winning the confidence of others, and increasing the benefit of any endeavour.

g. Right living/holiness being separated and dedicated to God will lead to prosperity and blessings by avoiding costly problems and attracting Gods favour in opportunities, relationships and resources. h. Doing right/right living as above practicing righteousness in doing right attracts Gods supernatural favour. This may mean going against the grain, overcoming the disapproval of men, but staying obedient and therefore faithful to God. In Mt.3:1415, Jesus goes against John the Baptists expectations to have him (Jesus) baptised by John to fulfil all righteousness. This will allow the grace of God too flow for that event Jesus was then baptised in The Holy Spirit allowing him to withstand the forty day fast and subsequent temptations. i. Acting in Gods will/obedience and faithfulness of man this will produce prosperity and wellness by avoiding the causes of problems like poverty through laziness (Prov.24:30-34), and Tit 2:9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; j. Kingdom citizen rights we have rights to all things as sons of God acting in righteousness, including prosperity and wellbeing. We are heirs to the promise of Abraham (Gen.17:1-10) whereby God will multiply us exceedingly if we keep His covenant. k. Kingdom duties/obligations obedience is better than sacrifice (1Sam.15:22). A definition of righteousness is submission to the will of the Father. As such this proffers blessings by aligning spiritual principles and forces to the believer to his benefit (Rom6:16). l. Walking in divine order/right order by walking in righteousness activates kingdom forces for ones benefit. The Israelites constructed the Tabernacle in every detail obeying Gods minute instructions. They benefited from having the presence (and power) of God in their midst. 2) Q - It can exalt a person, organisation or nation A - Applicable definitions of righteousness.

a. Walking in divine order, as a definition of righteousness applies here. Acting in Gods divine order means that there will be appropriate uses of resources such as time, money and human resources. There will be no wastage. A people are lifted up or promoted in this case because of the spiritual blessings that flow from the release of principles and forces in harmony with Gods word. Abraham followed Gods instructions and the nation of Israel was blessed in consequence. Ruth in maintaining Naomi as her spiritual father ensured that the lineage to David was maintained, and God exalted her with a good marriage and social restoration. Naomi also profited from Ruths upholding of divine order (Ruth 1:16). In Acts when Cornelius responded to the call of God, his whole household was blessed with the gift of salvation (Acts 7:34-48) 3) Q - Righteousness leads to deliverance and liberation A Applicable definitions of righteousness. a. The appropriate definition of righteousness here is right living/holiness whereby on the basis of being like God, believers who have established relationship with Him are able to quote the name of the Lord to ward off the devil and his minions when under spiritual attack. It is natural and authentic for the righteous to seek protection in the name of the Lord (Prov.18:10) b. Another definition of righteousness that is appropriate here is right standing with God. As a new spirit man, the believer can expect the same level of protection that Jesus Christ had whilst on earth (Mt.26:53), given that we are seated with Him in the heavenly places (Eph.2:6). c. The definition of righteousness as flowing to kingdom citizens as their right is evidenced in Is.5 4:17 where it is to the servants of the Lord that His righteousness is imputed. It is a righteousness derived from their relationship with God, and it leads to their protection and restoration from verbal assaults.

d. Righteousness as defined as right judgement and good decision making will lead to protection and deliverance according to Prov.11:5 where the righteous is preserved whilst the wicked is judged. 4) Q God judges according to His righteousness and so should we. It will help us to have godly decision-making. A Applicable definitions of righteousness. a. The most appropriate definition of righteousness to apply here is making right decisions and choices, or exercising good judgement. It is applicable where there is maturity in the use of the Word as ones judgement has been developed to discern right from wrong. In so doing one is walking in righteousness (Heb.5:13,14). b. Having the mind of Christ/Right thinking this definition of righteousness applies because as we think like God, we judge like Him. Rom.12:2 suggests we will see Gods thinking and even agree with it if we anchor ourselves in the Word of God. In Phil.4:8 are the things that, should we set our minds to focusing on, will yield godly decision-making. 5) Q Walking in righteousness is both walking in and activating Kingdom authority A - Applicable definitions of righteousness. a. The Kingdom of God has rights over the kingdom citizen This definition of righteousness is applicable because God loves righteousness and hates wickedness (Ps.45:7). He rewards the former with authority and power (Ps. 45:6; Heb.1:8). To access kingdom authority requires submission to that very authority perhaps as a sign that one is mature enough to exercise that power. 6) Q Righteousness leads to life A - Applicable definitions of righteousness. a. Right standing with God the new man in Christ. This definition is applicable to this fruit or product of righteousness as the new way of life of the believer will enhance positive living. Believers who are now no longer walking in condemnation are drawn to positive activities by the conviction of the Holy Spirit; they avoid life-

destroying old habits, friends and places. Instead they sleep more regularly, and enjoy Holy Spirit refreshing especially if they know to ask for it. They eat more healthily as their lives become more routine. There being no more shame and the condemnation that goes with it, they have healthier thoughts, leading to healthier bodies. With the life of God now flowing through them, they have more energy, are more optimistic and this gives them a foundation to continue in their positive lifestyle. b. Making right decisions this definition of righteousness is applicable here as the discernment and wisdom of righteousness will produce life-enhancing habits like exercise, healthy eating, meditation and so on. This will lead to life. c. Right thinking this mode of righteousness is appropriate because it produces stress-free life peace. This has positive effects on the mind and body, and produces long life. d. Doing right Ez.33:14,15 there is a spiritual death (eventually a physical one) when we go against God in unrighteousness. Conversely when we obey, repent, restore our victims, i.e. act in righteousness by doing the right thing according to God, then we too can expect to live fully as the Word of God states. 7) Q - Righteousness makes prayer more effective and accomplishes much, while not walking in righteousness can short-circuit your prayer. A - Applicable definitions of righteousness. a. Right heart/pure heart having pure motives has a two-fold return with respect to righteousness. First it is its own reward as it leads to renewal (Ps.51:10). Second since God judges the hearts (motives) of men, it clears the way for God hearing and responding to prayer (James 5:16). In Ecc.3:17, God shall judge the wicked and the righteous according to their works. The righteous are able to exercise angels on their behalf as the angels only listen to the voice (word) of God. Being righteous one can proclaim the word authentically or in action by lifestyle. The angels will respond to such a person

8) Righteousness brings forth healing A - Applicable definitions of righteousness.

a. A - Right standing with God the new man in Christ. Standing as a son of God proffers certain rights including health. It is up to us to appropriate these rights, but as we are led by the Spirit of God, we are sons of God (Rom.8:14) and therefore out of the realm of darkness where disease and death prevail. b. Making right decisions this definition of righteousness is applicable here as the discernment and wisdom of righteousness will produce life-enhancing habits like exercise, healthy eating, meditation; this will lead to healing. c. Right thinking this mode of righteousness is appropriate because it produces stress-free life peace. This has positive effects on the mind and body, and produces long healthy life. 9) Q - Walking in righteousness will accelerate Gods purposes and see His plans fulfilled in your life. A - Applicable definitions of righteousness. a. Right standing with God the new man in Christ. In Joel 2:25, God promises to restore what has been lost. The understanding of this is restitution is being made to my people (vs26). The restoration being time-specific implies acceleration for the believer. In Mal.3:11,12 the believers are called blessed having had the devourer (devil) rebuked for their sake, having obeyed God in the tithe. In other words it is the righteous being avenged, protected and restored. 10) Q - The saints shall be rewarded not according to church activity but rather according to how we conducted our lives in the righteousness of God. A - Applicable definitions of righteousness. a. Right standing with God the new man in Christ. The believer in his new identity walks in righteousness, being the righteousness of God in Christ. He can thus fully

expect to receive this crown of righteousness, which will mean enlarged responsibilities in the age to come. b. Having a right heart is another applicable definition of righteous. Ps.24:4,5 - the pure in heart shall receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from God. In Mt.5:8, the pure in heart shall see God, both in this and the next age. This implies the purity of their hearts (a source of righteousness) will qualify them for an inheritance in the world to come. c. Doing right as righteousness - 1Jn.2:29 implies that those who practice righteousness are born of God. As sons of God therefore, the righteous can expect to have increased territories after the return of Jesus. d. Right living/holiness We are to be holy as our Father is holy, then He will judge us favourably (vs17). Holiness is part of righteousness and is a simple command. In practice it requires an awareness that we are set apart for our Father, and the appropriate response is to be like Him righteous. Then we can expect a reward enlargement in the world to come.