“But know that the Lord has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The Lord will hear when I call to Him.
Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the Lord.”
Psalm 4:3-5
There is no time to do what is right. We must set our heart to obey the Word of God, all the time. God’s kind of lifestyle calls us to do what is right in the sight of God at all times, even though it is contrary to what we naturally want to do. Choosing to do what is right is a great test to the flesh.
What is the sacrifice of righteousness? Choosing to do God’s will rather than our own. When our flesh says hate, God says love. It takes sacrificial love to love your enemy and to pray for them. These are the weapons of righteousness. This is the sacrifice that Jesus looks at and rewards. Even though that might not be a grand, or outward sacrifice, it is what Jesus values.
God always looks at the motivation of our deeds to reward us if it is done in righteousness. It takes sacrificial obedience to deny ourselves, to say no to anger, to say no to offence, to not put that negative thought into words. This is the sacrifice of righteousness.
Whatever we say, whatever we do before God to receive approval from Him must be done in spirit and truth, in righteousness. That is why Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Carry your cross and follow me.” To go the way of the cross is the way of righteousness, only humility can travel this path.
