Righteousness and iniquity are spiritual forces that have a tremendous force of attraction on themselves. The first one is intrinsically tied to the throne of God, and the other, to the devils. Righteousness is an attribute of the Lord that aligns everything up kingdom of God. On the other hand, iniquity is the force that twists and perverts everything, separating it from the designs of God.
Jesus, desiring to teach us a powerful truth, tells us in his word:
Matthew 6:25 – therefore I send you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than Raymond; therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat; or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things to the Gentiles seek: for your heavenly father know what that you have need of all these things. Was seeking first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Here we can see that if we approach the kingdom of God and his righteousness, a power of attraction is produced drawing all things of his kingdom towards us. The righteousness of God contains within itself a powerful force that continually judges iniquity, fighting against it in order to align everything with God.
On the other hand, this force also pulls everything that has to do with the kingdom of heaven, and all blessings from above. It pulls towards itself all spiritual and material riches. This is because righteousness is intimately tied to the glory of God; because they go hand-in-hand, manifesting themselves simultaneously.
Psalm 97:6 – the heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
Isaiah talks about this magnetic power and its manifestation in the believer who is established in the righteousness of God and has become a vessel of God’s glory.
Isaiah 60:1 – Arise, shine; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; But the Lord will rise upon you in his glory will appear upon you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes roundabout and see; they all gather together, they come to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters will be carried in the arms. Then you will see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and rejoice; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.
Notice how the blessings are drawn to the very place where the glory of God is seen. This glory can only manifest itself when righteousness has begun its transforming power in a child of God. This goes much further than being just, it is by grace. This righteousness, which is by faith, is our passport into heaven.
In order for the glory to exercise its power of attraction over all the blessings and attributes of the kingdom of heaven on this earth, it is necessary for the righteousness of God to remove iniquity from our being. The glory of God immerses us in everything God is; it is not a beautiful glitter that makes us feel good. Different from the anointing, that is the ability to fill us with joy and love, the glory is the consuming fire of God. The glory burns and destroys everything that separates us from God.
Many want the dimensions of his glory without ever having identified and uprooted the terrible weight of iniquity within them. Prolonged suffering can be the result of approaching his glory in this manner, for they do not know what is happening.
Now then, entering into his fire is a necessary step in the ways of God, since without his glory and righteousness, we would never possess our inheritance of blessing, power and all kinds of additions found in his kingdom.
In order to achieve our sanctification, iniquity must be identified and eliminated. This is a fundamental part of the victory in the cross. Then, two virtues of the Almighty operate: righteousness and glory, which are fundamental aspects of his kingdom that polish us and also bring judgment upon our enemies.
Psalm 97:1 – the Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad. Clouds and thick darkness around him; righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne. Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries roundabout.
It is important to understand that just as the love of God cannot stop loving, the righteousness of God cannot stop judging. In divine terms, God’s judgments are sent in order to establish his righteousness. The Lord’s judgments are aligning things with his perfect will and essence. In this process he uses correcting judgments, revealing judgments and, in extreme cases, destructive judgments.
What does righteousness judge?
It precisely judges iniquity. This is where everything that has been perverted from the ways of God is established. Whenever iniquity is found, we will continuously find God’s judgments manifested.
Now, just as righteousness and God’s glory exercise a magnetic power over everything pertaining to the kingdom of God, iniquity exercises that same power, but with the opposite results. As if a giant magnet, iniquity will draw everything that has to do with the empire of death and darkness to itself.
Iniquity is the legal basis used by the devil to release evil upon the human being and, even more, the believer. Now you can see how important this topic is, as it is the bull’s-eye for the devil’s bombs and the bull’s-eye for the judgments of God.
God establishes his righteousness with mercy for those who seek him.
The topic of God’s judgments scares most people. However, it is wrong to think that every time God acts in this manner something terrible is going to happen.
In my book seated in heavenly places I discussed this matter. But, nor to give birth to the ones who have not read it, I dare to talk about it in this occasion.
The first thing we must understand is God loves us deeply and he is always thinking about what is best for his children. For this reason, he desires his glory and righteousness to be established in our lives, so that all of his blessings will come upon us, and we will live in abundance, peace and joy, delighting in our beloved heavenly father.
God acts through judgments of mercy upon those who fear him and seek his righteousness.
Proverbs 8:17 – I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, then fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the passive judgment: that I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
It is such a blessing when God with his judgments straightens out all that is twisted, wrong or badly structured. In order to accomplish this purpose, God uses judgments of mercy. These judgments are all of the circumstances and words that he speaks into our life, dreams and moments of divine lucidity that allow us to see our wrong ways and turn to his ways.
The powerful work of God in our lives will establish us as righteous on the earth with all the privileges this affords. There is a difference between being declared righteous by grace through the sacrifice of Jesus, and being established in righteousness.
All the blessings, honor, and riches, do not come flooding from heaven towards us after our baptism, but in the measure that we are rooted and grounded in righteousness.
King David clearly understood this principle, and he knew that his victories depended upon the righteousness of God being established in him.
Psalm 7:6 – arise, O Lord, in 9 anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: in a way for me to the judgment that though is commanded. The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity that is in me. All that the wickedness of the wicked come to an and; but established the just
He also understood that the judgments of God were sweet and wonderful because they brought him closer to his beloved Lord. When you love God with all your heart and strength, anything that hinders your communion with him is unbearable, and you want it removed as soon as possible.
There are things that we are aware of and others that are so hidden inside of us that revelation becomes necessary.
Psalm 19:8 – the statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, gay, then much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and honeycomb.
God shows the prophet Malachi how Jesus longs to refine us with all of his love. Lord wants to do a perfect work in all of us in order to accomplish his perfect work. He must cleanse and polish us.
Malachi 3:2 – but who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire, unlike Fuller’s soul knee shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: the shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer into the Lord and offering and righteousness.
The tribe of Levi represents the priesthood of his house, the holy priests. We all have been constituted by Jesus. The mere fact that he seeks to refine us speaks to me of the work done with care, dedication and love. God purifies us in this way, but not everyone has the love and meekness required for this cleansing process to be accomplished.
God wants to discipline others as a father corrects his children. Unfortunately, he will have to punish many others to make their way straight and save them from death. It is impossible to have the blessing of God and to participate in his glory without being first confronted with our iniquities.