Where Is The Righteous Premium?

The rich sometimes think their wealth is the best measure of human success, purpose and ... even righteousness. The educated often see higher education in the same light ... as godliness. The famous are also susceptible to that same illusion. Strangely, a similar illusion exists in some people who are in poverty, uneducated or feel like they are nobodys. They sometimes worship the wealthy, highly educated, famous, movie stars, sports idols and even preachers, which is worse. There are even people in poverty or ignominy who think their lack of wealth, fame and education is a sacrificial, righteous order of some kind and see the rich and famous as their enemies.

The truth is, there is no special premium or goodness in any of it ... in God's eyes. God so loved the whole world that he gave Jesus to die that whosoever believes on him will receive everlasting life. God puts the premium on believers in Christ and obeyers of His word. More exactly, righteousness is not so much what is seen, outwardly, as it is an inner grace of God in the heart and mind.  "... The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." 1 Sam.16:7.

The "righteous premium" is accurately measured only by God and never by man or woman. And that righteousness is not even their own, who possess it, but God's righteousness bestowed upon them when they repent and are converted.  As Isaiah testified in Isaiah 61:10.... "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the  robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth  herself  with her jewels." All true righteousness is God's righteousness ... within Himself or bestowed upon those who were created to be in His image and likeness before sin marred us. Jesus came to restore us to that image and likeness. Here is where eternity hangs, not in our personal goodness, not in our self-righteousness. RB