–Righteousness is, being made right with God. Everyman stands guilty before God, no man can work to be righteous, so God freely gives us His own righteousness through grace. God does righteousness in us and for us.
–Holiness is what we do to preserve the righteousness that was freely given to us.

I was once a leper on the road, filthy, dirty and abhored. I loved my filth, I didn’t know any other life, that was my reality. Suddenly, the King comes up to me and tells me it is possible for me to be a part of the royal family. Impossible… inconceivable, how? I resist, He insists and I finally believe.  The King claims me into the royal family. He took my affliction away, cleaned me up and took me away from the dirt and put me in the palace; not because I deserve it in any way, but just because of the King’s goodwill. He used His status to change my status. Now, I no longer sleep in the dirt by the roadside, the King has changed my position, I now live and sleep in an opulent palace. He cleaned me up and gave me His royal status.
– This is righteousness. 

I now live in the Royal palace by virtue of the King’s magnanimity and goodwill. I’m no longer a leper wallowing on the ground with other lepers. The King and I eat and drink on the same table. I play with Him, I speak with Him when I want, I go into His royal bedroom, I lie down on His royal bed late into the night, talking with Him. The royal servants run up and down to do my bidding, the princes and princesses relate to me as one of their own.

I make up my mind, I will never go back to roll on that dirty floor again. No one will be able to convince me that I belong in the slums. I love this King, I love this new me. From now on I am determined not to do anything that will take me back into that filth. I separate my life from those living in that murk and I make up my mind to abide by all the standards that will keep me as a member of the royal house.
– This is Obedience.

The only time you will see me go anywhere near the dirty place I came out from is to go and speak to those who are still there and convince them that they too can be a part of this royal household.

– This is Evangelism

I’m royalty now. I don’t want to defile myself again with dirt. I want the King to be able to draw me into His presence and embrace me anytime He desires. I want to be able to sleep on the King’s bed and play with Him anytime I want. I will not be a leper again. I will make myself distinct from lepers; not in arrogance or pride, but in submission to my King and the royal household/Kingdom. I belong to this Kingdom now and I want everyone to know it. The King has been kind enough to make me one of His, I will not disgrace or disappoint Him. I love Him, I don’t want anything that will break our relationship. I will stay focused on Him, I will stay where He is and I know by His royal nature, He will keep me undefiled. I will separate myself to my King and His Kingdom.
– This is Holiness.

Righteousness is right standing with God. Standing in the right position. It is what God requires of us before we can qualify as candidates for heaven. Unfortunately, righteousness cannot be attained by any man. God therefore devised a package for us to be made righteous – SALVATION. We receive righteousness through grace when we receive Jesus as our Lord and saviour. Automatically we are positioned right when we embrace Christ. Righteousness is inputted by grace, not through ANY works of ours.

Holiness is realising what has been done for you. Realising who you are now and taking actions to conform to this reality of the new you.

The bible tells us God is a Holy God, His eyes cannot behold sin. He CANNOT and will not look on anything that is sin. Holiness is therefore, to be without sin. So when we have sin, God cannot relate with us, play with us, interact with us, fellowship with us as His own. Sin is dirt. Sin is defilement, sin is filth. So what do we do? Do we love Him? If we love God, it is easy to obey Him. By obeying God we are kept far from sin.

Holiness is loving God, staying away from anything and everything that would upset God, and staying close to Him. Holiness is separation from everything that would bring sin, or cause us to sin.

Have you been made clean by the King? If not call out to Him He will come to you and use His status to change your status and you will be a partaker of His status.

Have you been claimed into the royal household? Do you love the King? Then cooperate with the standards of the palace so that you can stay in the presence of the person you love.

Do you like your new status? Do you love your new life? Then keep your garments white by staying close to the King. Keep your eyes and your heart fixed on the King, He will keep you clean, shinning and bright.

God bless you. ~KJO.

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