The Fine Print: Part 3 — Rooted in Righteousness
- Aug 18
- 6 min read
Isaiah 11:3–5 “He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes, or decide by what He hears with His ears. But with righteousness He will judge the needy. With justice He will give decisions for the poor of the earth…”
Hey friend, Welcome to Week Three of our Rooted series.
If you have been walking with us from the beginning, you know we started with the promise: that from a cut-off stump, a Branch would rise. In Week Two, we saw the power. We saw how the Spirit of the Lord rested on Jesus, and now rests on us too.
This week, we lean into the character of that Branch. Because the One who was promised, the One who was empowered, was also righteous.
What Does “Righteous” Even Mean?
Let’s start here. What is righteousness, and what is it not?
Why do we hesitate to call ourselves righteous when the Bible clearly tells us:
“Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Maybe we have confused righteousness with perfection. Maybe we think we have to earn it.
But righteousness isn’t a badge. It’s a position. It means being in right standing with God, and living like that’s true.
Let’s make it plain. If you have paid your power bill and your account is current, you don’t flip the light switch wondering if it will work. You expect the light to come on. Why? Because you are in good standing.
You have access. You are covered. No fear. No shame. No second-guessing.
That is what righteousness looks like. It is walking in confidence. Not arrogance, but holy assurance. You are not cut off. You are not behind. You do not owe a balance in your relationship with God. Jesus paid it in full.
But here is the key. You do not just know you are in good standing. You live like it.
Living in righteousness means: You come boldly to God in prayer. You stand firm when temptation calls because you know who you are. You do not perform for approval. You walk in identity. You respond with obedience, not to prove something, but because you have been transformed.
Let’s be clear. This is not about saying, “I am not perfect.” It is about boldly declaring, “I have been made new, and now I live like I belong to Him.”
To be righteous is to walk in the light. Because the switch has been flipped in your spirit, and the power source is eternal. Your access has been paid for by Jesus. Now live like it.
Not Moved by Sight
Isaiah says something radical.
“He will not judge by what He sees with His eyes…”
Sit with that. In a world obsessed with image, performance, and surface-level validation, Jesus does something completely different.
He does not operate by worldly standards. And yes, we have heard that before. But let this be a fresh reminder.
Your worth is not determined by your views, your outfits, or your achievements.
He can use those platforms. But your identity is not built on them.
Let me explain. Online, you or I might be worth 300 subscribers. And we are grateful for every one. I am personally thankful for my 3 real-life subscribers. Shout out to them. But if I start measuring my worth or my assignment by comparing my 3 to someone else’s 300, I have already lost sight of the mission.
If that hits home, let’s just pause and repent. “Lord, forgive me for coveting my neighbor’s success. Teach me to steward what I have so that when more comes, I will be ready.”
Being rooted in righteousness means staying focused on the mission. Because the Judge we serve uses different standards, and His is the only one that truly matters.
Rise up, my friend. Your work matters.
I have been there. I have poured hours into ministry and content, wondering if anyone noticed. And then the Holy Spirit whispered, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)
It is not about being seen. It is about being surrendered. Not about if they notice. But if He is pleased.
Think about David. When Samuel came to anoint a king, David was not even in the room. He was out tending sheep. But God saw him. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)
Jesus sees deeper. He sees truth. He judges not by sight, but by righteousness.
Righteousness Over Reputation
Let’s be real. It is easy to chase applause. To measure fruitfulness by attention instead of obedience.
And if I can be honest, I still do not like watching myself speak. I do not like the spotlight. This whole “out loud” thing stretches me.
So maybe you are not struggling with craving attention. But are you clinging to comfort? That too can keep you from stepping into your calling.
It might look like: “Lord, you know I can’t serve on that team. That’s not for me.” Even when God has already made the way.
I get it. I have been there. But I have learned this. There is grace that flows with the gift.
Righteousness calls us higher. It says: Choose integrity even when no one is watching. Obey God even when it is misunderstood. Speak truth even when it costs you something.
It is not about doing good for gold stars. It is about alignment. A life that mirrors Heaven.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)
Feeling empty? Check your appetite.
Are you hungry for God, or for attention, comfort, and control?
Say this with me. “My confidence is secure in Jesus. Period.”
What Righteousness Really Looks Like
Let’s go ahead and cancel this statement. “I ain’t perfect.”
Friend, it is 2025. We know that. But here is the truth. God is not calling us to keep disclaiming our flaws. He is calling us to rise up in identity.
Let’s declare this instead. “I am holy. I am set apart.”
Jesus gave us right standing with the Father. Not so we can strive, but so we can surrender.
Here is a simple picture. If your bills are paid, you walk into a room and flip the switch without second guessing. You live in alignment with what is already covered.
That is how righteousness works. Because of Jesus, your spiritual debt is paid. Now live like someone who is free.
Justice. Equity. Truth.
Isaiah continues. “With righteousness He will judge the needy. Righteousness will be His belt and faithfulness the sash around His waist.” (Isaiah 11:4–5)
What does that mean?
Jesus is not swayed by status. He does not uplift the powerful and ignore the broken. He does not play favorites. He walks in truth, in justice, and in faithfulness.
And He calls us to do the same.
To be rooted in righteousness means: We seek justice even when it costs us comfort. → Like Moses, who left royalty to stand with the oppressed. (Hebrews 11:24–25)
We treat people with equity, not ego. → Like Jesus, who washed the feet of the one who would betray Him. (John 13)
We stay faithful even when it is not flashy. → Like Ruth, who chose loyalty when no one was watching. (Ruth 1:16)
So what stirs righteous frustration in your soul? Start there. Righteousness is not passive. It is active alignment with the heart of God.
Reflection Moment
Come on, friend. This is bigger than a good read.
It is time to move beyond scrolling and start standing.
We are God’s ambassadors. If we are going to represent His Kingdom, we have to start looking like our King.
So let’s get real. Am I more concerned with being right, or being righteous? Are my decisions shaped by appearances, or aligned with God’s Word? Do I hunger for justice, or settle for convenience?
Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart. We do not create truth. We stand on it.
Prayer
Lord, You are Jehovah Tsidkenu, the God of Righteousness. You do not just do what is right. You are righteousness.
Thank You for giving me right standing through Jesus. Thank You for seeing beyond appearances and loving me anyway.
If anything in me is blocking the flow of Your righteousness, reveal it. Expose every lie that says I have to earn Your approval. Forgive me for choosing reputation over obedience.
Help me live with justice in my actions, equity in how I treat others, and faithfulness in the unseen places. Let righteousness be the belt around my waist, and faithfulness the banner over my life.
Jesus, make me more like You. Let me live as one who knows I have been made new.
In Your name, Amen.
Next Week: Rooted in Hope
Next week, we close this series with a look ahead. Because even when the world feels dark, and hope seems buried, our God is still moving.
There is always a remnant. Always a future. Always hope.
Until then, stay rooted. 🌱
