Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "just". Three of the verses we'll look at say similar things. Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38:

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. KJV

Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. KJV

Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. KJV

These are all the Greek word "dikasios". Strong's Concordance says: equitable in character or act; innocent. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: righteous; one who is such as he ought to be; upright; virtuous; faultless; guiltless; acceptable to God. Of course none of this refers to who we WERE, but rather who we ARE - IN HIM! He has made us righteous with His righteousness because we have received Jesus as our Lord and personal Savior. He was made sin with our sin so that we could be in this wonderful position! When we DO sin after the New Birth, we go to 1 John 1:9 and receive our forgiveness, and find that HE is just!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. KJV

And then we are instructed in Philippians 4:8 how to keep thinking right. I like the Amplified the best for this one:

Philippians 4:8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. AMP

In the realm of the Spirit, we are perfect in His sight, new creatures that never existed before the New Birth (2 Corinthians 5:17). Now we need to keep renewing our minds by meditating on the Word of God to find out more and more of what being just and righteous in His sight means, and how to walk this out before the lost so that they will be drawn to Him! Here is Hillsong United with one of my favorite songs: "Search My Heart". One of the lines is: "without You I am nothing." Now THAT thought will keep us humble before Him! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!