I AM JOSEPH STORY SERIES – part 5 – THE FORCES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
The Bible says the eyes of the Lord goes to and fro the earth to make himself strong on behalf of those who put their trust in him.
Whatever we will ever be or achieve, the force of righteousness will mark the stability – of our accomplishments, successes or achievements.
It’s only in righteousness that our lives yield progression of glory and beauty.
I AM JOSEPH* is a story that illustrates the power of righteousness in making man great.
Somebody said: I have walked with God but I’ve made losses and suffered much. Then I can tell them of my own life: I have gained so much by following God. If I have suffered, it was because I went astray and have not proven my faith by standing through for God.
The Bible says: To the shrewd I will be shrewd and to the pure I will be pure. God will always be guiltless and right, he responds to us based on our disposition to righteousness.
A time of test comes to each one of us, how we are able to pass and stand through will determine our degree of relevance in the things he’s called us to do.
Going over the story of Joseph, it opens with a boy who will not do what others are doing. He’s not just good outwardly, he maintained his integrity inwardly and when no one was there. He does not make open show of righteousness in the public and turn into something else in his secret.
What determines depth is much more dependent on what we do secretly.
Joseph didn’t just please
1. His father
2. Portiphar
3. God
In the open.
He pleased them when they were not within range.
I hope you get it into you today: Your secret life is primarily telling on the result you are getting – this includes your secret thoughts. Work on making your heart right in all ways then you’ll wonder at the significant level of transformation your life will become within the shortest period of time. Make within (your inside) clean and you’ll gain the power to make your world beautiful.
Righteousness doesn’t make life tough, it brings ease and beauty in spite of the tests. I’m not saying there wouldn’t be test, but such test leads to glory as we see in Christ and Joseph.
Let us look at Joseph, our personality in this story.
Joseph lived inwardly holy, he doesn’t pretend to be pious, he was holy indeed. His brethren hate him for this. You will be hated by those living the lowly life of corruption.
Remember, hate doesn’t stop the blessings
*It’s better to be hated than to live without blessings.
The price if righteousness is better than the freedom of sin. Joseph eleven brothers have the freedom of sins and unrighteousness. When the future comes, they serve the righteous one.
Tell yourself: a future will come.
When Joseph came to Portiphars house, he did not mingle with the Egyptians.
Before he arrived, Portiphar’s wife might have robbed the earlier servants of his masters their glory. She might have enticed them with her body. No wonder they were nameless servants.
May we not lose our names at the altar of sin.
Do you know that many people will come to this earth and leave without leaving a mark?
This is what sin does: it destroys our names.
God is watching you and me: Here, we are talking about trans-generational leader. The denominator to this is righteousness.
The Bible says: righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach. We are talking about a leader that leaves a mark today. This is a heavy message we should receive trembling…
Praying to be an impact maker. Not like a snake whose travel on the rock leaves no trail. We should leave mark on the sand of history, our stories shouldn’t be written upon the changing face of water.
The only force that makes you live beyond time is righteousness*
Many pastors and preachers… How many really leave a mark?
Many politicians, how many are remembered after their office or death?
In your place of work, will you be remembered after leaving the place?
What will determine this is righteousness.
The act of righteousness is eternal, it cannot be obliterated not even by hell. Therefore, sow for yourself in righteousness, reap in mercy (show mercy) and be eternally committed to a life of love.
Joseph was committed to the life of righteousness all along. Central to this life of righteousness is the fear of God…
ATTRIBUTES OF JOSEPH’S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Joseph feared God:
Genesis 39:7-12 KJV
And it came to pass after these things, that his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. [8] But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; [9] There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? [10] And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. [11] And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. [12] And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom because it saves you from sin and death.
If you know what you will lose, you’ll not be enticed by sin. May every glory soiled by sin receive a new beginning in Jesus name_
It’s never too late seeing the examples of the prodigal son and the second thief on the cross.
There can be a renewal and rededication.
Forgiveness
Joseph having the nature of God knew that we are not complete in righteousness until we can forgive the worst sinners and those who hurt us. Joseph forgave his brethren in order to give them a new start.
God wants me to instruct many people who’s blessings are held down. God wants you to forgive those who have offended you, by this you can move on in glory and quality of life.
By forgiving you are doing yourself a favour.
Job’s life was at a standstill until he forgave his friends. Joseph didn’t wait for those who offended him before he forgave them… He forgave before they asked him.
This is one of the secrets of the ever rising life of Joseph.
This was why his life shined everywhere he goes. When you forgive, you’re giving yourself license to shine brilliantly from glory to glory.
Grudges holds destiny down. Without grudges, Joseph’s life keep shining brilliantly.
He gave credit to God
Lastly, Joseph gave all credits of success to God.
Genesis 41:15-16 KJV
And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. [16] And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.
An important pivot of righteousness is knowing that we do all things through Christ who’s in us and giving all credits to him for all the good he has done for us and in us. A righteous man live his life as an appendage of God’s and through this God further reveals his righteousness in him.
At the end of the day, Joseph the righteous was more exalted above his contemporary.
Let me leave us with this scripture:
Hebrews 1:9 KJV
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Let righteousness propel you beyond your contemporary.
God bless you.
