Topic: Why Should You Care About Being Right with God? [RICK WARREN Devotional 10 May  2023]

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Why Should You Care About Being Right with God?

BY RICK WARREN — MAY 10, 2023
FROM THE KEYS TO A BLESSED LIFE

“The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself.”

Romans 1:17 (NCV)

“Righteousness” is a big word in the Bible. It’s used hundreds of times. For example, the Bible says that God loves righteousness and that God is righteous. It says that one day God is going to judge the world in righteousness. Psalm 23 says that God leads us in the paths of righteousness.

But what in the world does this word “righteousness” really mean?

I once looked it up in a theological dictionary, and its definition went on for 27 pages! But I’ll boil it down to two things: Righteousness is a relationship and a lifestyle.

Righteousness simply means being right with God. Romans 1:17 says, “The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself” (NCV). The Good News is that God made us right with himself through Jesus’ death as payment for our sins. Because of Jesus’ death, we can have a personal relationship with God.

Righteousness is also a lifestyle. It means living right, as God intends. The Bible says in 1 John 2:29, “All who practice righteousness are God’s true children” (The Message).

So why should you care about being right with God? Because it’s the only way to live, and it’s the only way to heaven.

When you are disconnected from God, you’re not really living; you’re just existing. Most people in the world aren’t really fully alive. They just exist, trying to make it to the weekend. But to be disconnected from your Creator who made you for a purpose is nonsense.

Life is not about the acquisition of things or the achievement of goals. Life is about getting to know God—the one who loves you and made you for a purpose. You’re not really living until you’re right with God and have a relationship with him.

Righteousness is also the way you get to heaven. God created heaven as a place for his children whom he loves, and he wants you to be with him forever. He wants you to be in heaven, but he’s not going to force you to go to heaven. You can choose to be disconnected from God here on Earth, but when your life on Earth is done, you will not be given a second chance to choose where you spend eternity.

God gives you the choice right now to have a relationship with him. He wants you to choose to love him! And when you do, you will be made right with him. It will change your life—here on Earth and for eternity!

Talk It Over

• If God makes you right with him, why does he still want you to learn and grow in spiritual maturity?
• What does it mean to have a relationship with God? What does that look like in your life?
• In your own words, how would you explain righteousness to someone else? What difference has it made in your life to be made right with God?

You can be right with God today.

Your sin separates you from God, and there’s nothing you can do to make things right. So you need someone to save you from your sins and make you acceptable to God—to make you righteous.

That’s why God sent Jesus. Jesus’ death on the cross paid for every wrong you’ve ever done or will do. Jesus made it possible for you to have a relationship with God the Father. The Bible says, “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are” (Romans 3:22 NLT).

You can start your journey with Jesus by believing in him and confessing your sins. If you’re ready to surrender your life to Jesus Christ, start by praying this simple prayer: “Dear God, I know I’m a sinner, and I ask for your forgiveness. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe that he died for my sin and that you raised him to life. I want to trust him as my Savior and follow him as Lord from this day forward. I want to be righteous—to be in right relationship with you. Guide my life and help me to do your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

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