“Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you” (1Timothy 4:16 NET). Too hard. Too much pain. Too unattractive. Why give up on righteousness, as if a right relationship with God can be found any other way? Most common is the truth of righteousness is crowded out by anything more appealing to our flesh. “All unrighteousness is sin” (1John 5:17). Of that we are sure. Then, why do we give up on righteousness and right relationships with God and our neighbor? Honestly, we just do not think about it. The pathway to hell is full of thoughtlessness. We can clearly see all the negative things befalling us, if we persist in righteousness. And, it is only when those thoughts outweigh the truth of right conduct and a right relationship with God, that we sin. In short, a right relationship with God is righteousness. Righteousness is of the heart. A right relationship will cause us to rightly act. When someone appears to be rightly acting, but lacks sincere motivation, then it is still not righteousness but self-righteousness. May God grant us a thirst for righteousness that only He can satisfy. “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?” (Psalm 42:2). “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). Father, cause us to thirst for You, to thirst after righteousness. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.