Righteousness of the perfect and of the upright
Righteousness of the perfect and of the upright
The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. Jesus was 100% perfect in righteousness. We are exhorted to press towards perfection (Pro.11:5).
Jesus said "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect".(Matt.5:48). Paul said, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12)......until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13).
The perfect are those children of God who press on towards perfection and their righteousness direct their ways in this world. It is their righteousness that direct their paths. They need not take the help of any human being in finding their ways. But those who do not bother about perfection or who lead a mediocre life, not distinct from the life of the children of the world, cannot find their ways in this world. Apostles of the Lord found their ways because of the level of perfection they attained. The Holy Spirit led them by their ways.
The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness (Pro.11:6).
In the earlier verse, we find the righteousness of the perfect. But in this verse, we find the righteousness of the upright. The upright are those who are upright in their life. It is not the state of being perfect or being in the way of perfection. One can be upright in some ways but not perfect in all ways. Perfection covers all aspects of life whereas uprightness covers some areas of our life. When the righteousness of the perfect direct paths, the righteousness of the upright deliver from sickness, problems, etc.
But transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness. Transgressors can be among the children of God who transgress God's instructions or law of the land. They are also taken in their own naughtiness as the children of the world are. Many people of God wonder how they also face the same problems as the children of the world do. Since they transgress the law of God given to them, they are also justified as transgressors in the sight of God.