What does it mean to pursue righteousness?

from the old testament

• Solomon in Proverbs 21:21 tells us, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

from the new testament

• First John 4:9–10 says, "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Through Christ's sacrifice as the propitiation for our sins, we are made right with God, not by our own actions, but through His love and grace.
• Second Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
• Paul told Timothy, “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
• Philippians 2:12–13 says, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Although it is ultimately God who works in us to enable this righteous living, we play an active role in living out our salvation.
• Jesus told His followers, "Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me" (John 14:21). Those who are saved pursue righteousness.
• In John 15, Jesus similarly talks about abiding in His love, keeping His commands, and thus bearing fruit. Those who are saved by Him live for the things of righteousness.
• Romans 3:10–20 makes it clear that no one is righteous in themselves and that no one can be justified through obedience to law.
• Galatians 5:22–25 describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
• Jesus also said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6). God is faithful to make us righteous (Ephesians 1:3–14; Philippians 1:6).

implications for today

God initiates a relationship with us through Jesus who paid for our sins. Because He did, those who put their faith in Him are considered blameless before God when it comes to eternal judgment. We are also made new and given the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works in our lives to sanctify us, which is to make us righteous in practice. As we grow in our relationship with God, we become more like Him. It is in living out the reality of our salvation that we pursue righteousness. This happens through sanctification and ultimately glorification.

The New Testament ties righteousness closely with faith. For example, Romans 4:13 says, "For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith." We must take care not to get things out of order. We are made righteous by Jesus and through putting our faith in Him, not through our own works (Ephesians 2:8–10). Our response to being made righteous is to act accordingly. We don't behave righteously to earn salvation or standing before God. Rather, we pursue righteousness because of our new identity in Christ (Ephesians 4; Colossians 3:1–17; 1 Peter 1).