Living Righteously, Influencing Widely

"Don't shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him."  - C.S. Lewis, British author, literary scholar and Anglican lay theologian (1898-1963)

Starting the Conversation: 

• What are concrete examples of making someone's life better in a small, everyday way?
• When have you been positively affected by someone's integrity?

Living righteously, in accordance with God's guidance, is the foundation that empowers us to tangibly bless others and spread a positive influence throughout our community and the world.

God's intention for blessing us is not so we can hoard those blessings, but rather that we become conduits of His generosity to the world. A life lived in alignment with His righteousness is essential for fulfilling this purpose.

Psalm 1:1-3 illustrates that a righteous life, nourished by God's Word, is a flourishing, stable source of spiritual good for all, much like a tree that yields fruit and shade. 

It's worth mentioning that a righteous life doesn't demand being free from all sin; instead, it is about maintaining a right standing with God and actively striving to align one's actions with His nature, which is revealed through scripture.

Living a life of holiness naturally leads to outward actions that influence and benefit the people we encounter (Matthew 5:13-16). Consider these following questions:

• Salt: Expanding on the analogy of salt, how does moral integrity act as a preserving and enhancing force in society?
• Light: What are concrete examples of "good deeds" that serve as a guiding light, bringing truth and pushing back against fear and darkness in challenging circumstances?

Correspondingly, Proverbs 11:10-11 teaches that when righteous citizens act with moral uprightness and integrity, their entire community benefits and is blessed.

We will now briefly examine a case study of Joseph as a source of blessing. Despite facing extreme hardships, Joseph's steadfast righteousness led him to become a source of survival and prosperity for his family and all of Egypt (Genesis, chapters 39-41).

To call attention to Joseph's integrity, I've summarized Genesis, chapters 39-41 below:

• Even when enticed by Potiphar's wife and later abandoned in prison, Joseph remained steadfast in his righteous life.
• By God's grace, he rose to prominence and ultimately preserved nations from famine.

Points to Ponder: Answer the questions below based on Genesis, chapters 39-41.

• In what ways did Joseph's unwavering faith during his time as a slave and prisoner equip him for his future role as a significant leader and blessing to others?
• Does living righteously lead to a life free of struggle, or does it empower us to be effective even when life is hard?

Let's finish by identifying immediate opportunities to put these principles (living righteously) into practice. To get started, we can:

• Reflect on your daily life and identify an area (e.g., how you speak, work ethic, finances) where your behavior could better align with biblical teaching.
• Pursue integrity in that specific area, knowing that God will empower you.
• Pray specifically this week for opportunities to be a channel of God's blessing to those around you: family, coworkers, and neighbors.

Prayer: "Dear Lord, thank you for Your presence and guidance. Help us live with integrity and righteousness, so our good deeds shine as a light to a world in need. Make us effective channels of Your grace and blessing this week. In Jesus's name, Amen."

Blessings and joy to you,

Nataly