Righteousness is closely related to holiness yet both are equally important for perfecting the believer for Heaven. Before I go to the definition of righteousness, I want to justify my reasons for choosing pornography as a sin that takes away righteousness. This is not to say that it is the only sin neither to say it is the worst of all sins. You may substitute the word pornography for any other sin you think of.
Firstly, pornography is tricky such that some people participate in it without knowing it. I wrote an article on my view on this subject in the post ‘be careful of disguised adult content or pornography’. This is true when you study the definition of the word. Photos, videos, artwork, audio, television programmes, can be instruments for pornography. I am a witness to the fact that more than 90 percent of movies played on television has at least one sexual sin.
Secondly, pornography is addictive and switching from hating it to loving it is easy. Sexuality is natural to the healthy person and forceful yet it requires constant control. Hardly do men manage to control the sexuality force unless there is God’s power to assist them. This is exacerbated by the fact that there are countless options by which a person that wants to participate in pornography can gain easy access. Unless a person practices self-control and is fully committed to righteousness, the temptation to feast on pornography always exists.
Thirdly, pornography is a secret agenda. No one wants to come out and declare in public that they watch or participate in pornography. The few that come out are either seeking some assistance or they have sold themselves out to this practice. Some are exposed because they have been caught watching it.
Next I define the word ‘Righteousness’ and move on to justify its importance.
The King James Version concordance defines righteousness as a virtue, right action that conforms to Gods will. In Psalms 23: 3, David sings to the LORD saying, “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake”. Then Matthew 5:6 commends believers that hunger and thirst for righteousness because such are blessed and they shall be fulfilled. Righteousness is fulfilling. Righteousness helps us in our prayers too. According to James 5: 16, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”.
Dr Osborn Hleta from Swaziland made a very interesting anatomy of the word. I wrote an article in this blog tittled, “The anatomy of the word ‘Righteousness’” according to Dr Osborn Hleta’.
Can a believer be as perfect for heaven? I believe that is why the Holy Bible, the Word of God, was written to guide and help men know the ways of God and lead man to perfection.
The importance of righteousness cannot be overemphasised. The Holy Bible teaches that righteousness is an invisible garment to the physical eye. It is a mandatory garment for the believer (Isaiah 61:10, Revelation 16:15). This garment shall be useful when a person leaves this world or dies but only when it has been kept pure (Ecclesiastes 9:8). He that is found unrighteous at the time of death or when Jesus Christ returns is likened to a necked person (Revelation 16:15).
Thus the requirement is keeping the garment of righteousness in its pure form as good as the time it was given to the believer. This garment is given to the believer at the time s/he receives salvation.
The message is straight forward. If a person dies without having received the garment of righteousness or having defiled it, that person is unfortunate because his or her eternity is damnation in hell. If you do not believe that hell exits, search for the truth further and I pray for you to come to know it.
God please remind me of this promise should I find myself tempted.