Bible Passage: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47; Acts 4:32-37; Acts 6:1-7
Our church recently took part in a nationwide prayer movement for justice.
We gathered in a living room to pray against the online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines. According to the International Justice Mission, 1/100 children in the Philippines are abused in this way, and Canada is one of the biggest consumers of that content in the world.
Men often think more about becoming a man of righteousness than becoming men of righteousness. We reflect and rate ourselves based on whether we have individually done good deeds or grown in the fruit of the Spirit.
Scripture tells us that God is saving the world through a chosen family and that God is highly concerned that His family lives the right way. The Hebrew prophets convict and lambaste leaders and nation alike for their communal unrighteousness.
The depth of our righteousness is measured by how well we treat baristas, slow drivers, and people who stumble over English with thick accents.
The measure of our holiness is as much the way we treat our children’s teachers, and the refs of their hockey game, as it is the amount of time we spend in prayer.
How we treat customers and competitors is as much a diagnosis of God’s work in us as our church attendance or tithing.
Among Satan’s greatest lies is that everything is about you (including righteousness).
The early Church both demonstrated and wrestled with becoming a righteous family. There were no poor people amongst them as God’s Spirit produced radical generosity. But there was racism as food distribution was done unfairly along ethnic lines (Acts 4:32; Acts 6:1-7).
Our church gathered to pray for justice together rather than each praying individually, primarily because we’re learning to seek God together and imagine together how God could change our communities and culture.
When His Kingdom comes, and His will is done, we don’t just change individually—we take our place in the Body of Christ and begin to do the things that Christ is calling us to do.
Gentlemen, take some time to consider how you can “spur one another on to love and good deeds…” (Hebrews 10:23). There is growth in righteousness you must pursue, but we need to remember that righteousness is a team sport.
Prayer: Lord, give me fresh conviction to take my place in Your family, loving and serving the lost, last, and least in our area and around the world. Give me deep concern to build up Your family. Forgive me for making following You and pursuing righteousness as something all about me. Amen
Reflection: How could you spur someone else on to a more righteous life this week? What good deeds are too big for you to do alone? Where are you already embracing a life of communal righteousness?
Copyright © 2026 Impactus. All rights reserved.
About
