We live in a world that denigrates, demeans, and despises righteousness. To say that it is not highly esteemed in pop culture today is to state the obvious. This is nothing new. Jesus was not crucified for doing wrong but for saying and doing right. In the final beatitude of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of those who are persecuted for righteousness sake (Matthew 5:10).
Because of this constant animosity and opposition, the question easily arises: Does it really matter? Is it really worth the struggle to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Is the high calling of denying ungodliness and worldly lusts and living soberly, righteously and godly in the present age really worth the blood, sweat, and tears?
David’s answer is a resounding “YES!” He declares: “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands He has recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all His judgments were before me, and I did not put away His statutes from me. I was also blameless before Him, and I kept myself from my iniquity. Therefore, the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight” (Psalm 18:20-24).
It matters.
