Righteousness

James 1:20  

For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

James 2:21

Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?

James 2:23  

And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God's friend.

James 2:24

24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

James 2:25 

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?

James 3:18  

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

1 Peter 1:23  

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

1 Peter 1:24  

For, “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall,

1 Peter 3:14  

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.”

No Strings Attached

 “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8 NIV

When we love with expectations, we say, “I love you. But I’ll love you more if . . .”

Christ’s love had none of this. No strings, no expectations, no hidden agendas, no secrets. His love for us was, and is, up front and clear. “I love you,” he says. “Even if you let me down. I love you in spite of your failures.”… - Max Lucado