The hair-tail (scabbard) fish that we ate in the country when we were young was like a lump of salt. Since there were no freezing facilities, in order for it not to rot during transportation from Ulsan market to (my hometown) Urnyang, they fully seasoned it with salt. Even so, the very salty soup of the cooked hair-tail fish was so delicious that it still makes my mouth water. The righteousness of God is like this salt. Where there is righteousness, there is God's glory, peace, and joy. However, where there is injustice, there is only guilt, accusation, uneasiness, a painful mind, and sorrow. Today, the reason why there is so much struggling, accusation, sorrow, and pain is because the righteousness of God has disappeared in our society.


1. People lost righteousness
    1) Adam - when he committed sin, he lost righteousness.
        (1) He knew he was naked - even today our conscience is naked.
             Even though one may conceal one's shame from others, one cannot hide the
             naked conscience from oneself (Ge 3:11).
        (2) He was ashamed - making a covering with leaves.
             Even today, we try to cover up with lies and pleading (Ge 3:7).
        (3) They were afraid and hid themselves - we try to escape from the Law (Ge 3:10).
        (4) They were miserable - they grumbled and a conflict arose (Ge 3:12,13).
    2) David - when he had committed adultery with Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, and killed
                     Uriah:
        (1) He realized that he was naked before God (Ps 51:1-4).
        (2) He was ashamed (Ps 51:9-11).
        (3) He was afraid (Ps 32:3,4).
        (4) He was miserable (Ps 32:1,2; 51:8,9).
        (5) Lamentation (Ps 51:14-17).

2. The grace and righteousness of Jesus Christ
    1) All have sinned like Adam and David (Ro 3:23; 1 Jn 1:8).
    2) The forgiveness and righteousness that Jesus gives.
        (1) The forgiveness - the price of forgiveness that He paid even to be punished on
             the Cross instead of us and to be buried (1 Pe 3:18).
        (2) The righteousness of Jesus (Ro 3:24,25; 2 Co 5:21).
    3) The gift of grace (Eph 2:8,9).
        (1) Repent (1 Jn 1:9,10; Mt 3:2,8).
        (2) Receive Christ as Savior, and believe in Him (Ro 1:17; 4:16; Tit 3:7).
        (3) Acknowledge this has not been by works but it is the gift of God, and give thanks
             (Ro 4:16; Tit 3:7).

3. The life that bears the fruit of righteousness
    The fruit of righteousness is to keep the Law of God.
    Since we have become righteous free of charge, we should bear the fruit of righteou-
    sness by keeping the Law of God. The basic fruit of righteousness is to keep God's
    commandments (Eph 5:8,9; Php 1:11).
    1) Where there is injustice, corruption, and depravity without the fruit of righteousness,
         the fruit of death matures. The fruit of death is worry, anxiety, uneasiness,
         fretfulness, desperation, and death (Pr 19:16; Mic 6:14; Ro 6:23; Jas 1:15).
    2) When there is righteousness in humankind, it can become a blessing.
        (1) Money and righteousness (Ps 62:10; 37:16; Pr 10:2,3)
        (2) Fame and righteousness (Ps 91:14; Pr 22:1)
        (3) Power and righteousness (Pr 29:2,4)
        (4) Human relations and righteousness (Ps 101:5; Eph 4:25; Ro 13:10; Mic 6:8)
    3) In order to always bear the fruit of righteousness:
        (1) Meditate upon the law of God (Ps 1:2; Am 5:24).
        (2) Avoid evil, sin, and arrogance (Ps 1:1; Ro 6:2,7).
        (3) Always repent and turn away from sin (Eze 18:30).
        (4) Drive away the temptations of Satan (Ro 6:16; Gal 5:1).
        (5) Pray and ask for the fullness of the Holy Spirit
            (Eph 6:18; 5:18; 4:22-24; Ps 1:4-6).


      The fate of those who do evil is like chaff that the wind blows away. They will receive judgment on earth and in the world to come, so they can't participate in the kingdom of heaven that the righteous will enjoy. In the chapter of hell of The Divine Comedy by Dante, we find out that Dante the hero was taken to hell and saw this sign hanging on the door of hell: "Give up hope at this place." The place where there is no more hope is more dreadful than death itself. The Scripture tells us, "The way of the wicked will perish."