The “righteousness of God”- that is, the requirement to fear God, walk in his ways, love Him and serve Him with all our heart – should be distinguished from Man’s righteousness. (Deuteronomy 10:12).
It is solely about reverence, devotion and honour to God and it is conditioned in one’s “Heart” always.
Whereas, man’s righteousness is by doing the laws (e.g. the Levitical and dietary laws), conditioned to be observed in the promised land, when Israel “possess it”. (Deuteronomy 6:1). In other words, the righteousness of man by performance of the laws is location specific, while the righteousness for God’s sake is heart based.
So, faith trials for “righteousness sake” will confront those who live outside the “promised land”, or who are in circumstances where the Almighty God is less known or revered. Such trials may be less likely to occur in the “promised land” because all Israel should be acquainted with the law and faith in the land.
Righteousness trials will test one’s faith on your devotion to the Almighty “one God” in relation to other gods. The opposition could therefore be calculated, concerted and sustained with a goal to make one denounce God, dishonour Him or supplant his precepts for some material gain, self-preservation or other.
2.1. LOVERS OF GOD AT HEART FACE TRIALS?
Brethren, you must be aware that only the lovers of God “at heart” will be tried for ‘righteousness sake’. They may include Jews and non-Jews. This is because: “all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in the heart” like all the other nations. They serve God with their lips as “Jews”, “outwardly” in “letter”, rather than “inwardly”, “of the heart”, and “in the spirit” that praises God. (Jeremiah 9:26; Isaiah 29:13; Matthew 15:8-9; Roman 2:28-29; Acts 7:51).
Therefore, ONLY God knows those that are His. “If any man love God, the same is known of him” – Jews and non-Jews. He will “circumcise [their] heart, and the heart of [their children] to love the LORD thy God with all [their] heart…”. He will prove their righteousness towards His fear, love and service in times of trials. (Nahum 1:7; Psalm 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:3; 2 Timothy 2:19). Also, He will certify His righteousness in them with the “Spirit of faith” to help them to endure all things. (Deuteronomy 30:6;1 John 5:4; Hebrew 11).
3. EXAMPLES OF TRIALS FOR ‘RIGHTEOUSNESS SAKE’
