It feels like there’s a lot of dying going on in this world. Pandemic death is obvious. But there’s a whole lot of other grave digging going on too. Dreams are suffocating. Hopes are having a hard time breathing. The morgue feels full. Do you feel this way?

All this begs the question, “Where do I find life?” I need it pumped into me. Massive injections, in fact. Like every day. I must. Pharmaceutical remedies won’t do.

If you’re looking for life, notice Proverbs 12:28 with me. It talks about the path to life and immortality. Drop anchor here and dig into these truths with me. 

Life is found on a special path, in taking a specific journey. It’s the “way of righteousness.” 

God says there is life on this path. Pursue it. Stay on it. Get life. The upright live. 

Righteousness is a Person. It begins and ends here. It is based on whom we belong to. To have Him is to be righteous. To pursue Christ, to follow Him faithfully to the end, is to pursue righteousness and life (Romans 5:17,21; 8:10; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Philippians 1:11).

Righteousness is a way of life. It’s a  journey, not just a declaration or destination. God meets us here. He grows us in righteousness through His Spirit. This is the sanctification path we must take. [While God declares us righteous in Christ when we are saved (justification) and rewards us with righteousness in Christ in the end (our heavenly glorification), the sanctification journey of upright living is also crucial.]

There are many ideas on what brings immortality. Most every one is wrong. That’s why the Bible doubles down to say, “There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof leads to death“ (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).

Righteous living leads to immortality. Other ways fail to deliver it. Front runners like power, position or performance promise it, but they can’t bring home the bacon. God says so. 

So don’t be deceived. Stop trying to be remembered for those reasons. None of them deliver immortality. Only righteousness grants immortality. 

Immortality is not about being remembered here on earth. That won’t happen (Matthew 24:35). Immortality is found in being remembered above, establishing an eternal life and presence with God. Let go of the tug for immortality here. 

Destruction never awaits the righteous, only the unrighteous. The righteous live. The unrighteous won’t. 

Reflect: Where do you find life? Is it linked to righteousness? How confident, committed and established are you on the way of righteousness, the path of life? What adjustment on that path might need to be made today?

A prayer to consider: O LORD and Heavenly Father, “You have made known to me the path of life. In Your presence is fullness of joy. At Your right hand are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11). Eternal thanks for bringing me to discover this. 

Help me to pursue righteousness faithfully and live for eternity. The life and immortality I seek is found in You, not here. Life here is but a test and temporary assignment. Keep me on track with this by Your Spirit as I follow the Son. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen.