In our Focal Scripture, the psalmist speaks of how the Lord leads him in paths of righteousness. There could have been other paths, but for the psalmist, there were paths of righteousness that the Shepherd led him through. Righteousness had a path and the Shepherd led him through it. Righteousness had paths and the Shepherd made sure to take him through those parts. The Shepherd insisted on paths of righteousness for his sheep.
Friend, righteousness has a path. You may have become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, but righteousness has paths. Righteousness has dos and don’ts. Righteousness makes some options acceptable and other options unacceptable. Righteousness demands that you deliberately choose your paths and deliberately avoid some paths. Righteousness demands that you walk away from amongst ‘them’ and be separate.
In 1 Corinthians 10 vs. 23, Apostle Paul rightly said, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not”. When the Lord leads you, you may have to deal with walking away from paths that are not even entirely ungodly, in order to preserve your consecration. When the Lord leads you, He literally redefines what is right for everyone and what is right for you based on His calling.
In 2 Timothy 2 vs. 19 (KJV), Apostle Paul wrote thus to Timothy: “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity”. If you have chosen to be led in the paths of righteousness, then also choose to depart from the paths of unrighteousness. Choose to depart from iniquity. Choose to depart from sin. Choose to depart from anything that works abominable. Choose to depart from the unfruitful works of darkness.
Remember, righteousness has a path, and if the Lord will lead you therein, then He cannot lead you in paths that do not edify.
