“How’s your righteousness?” is probably not a question you get asked very often.

Think about the last time you contemplated that question. Most of the time we get asked questions, either bluntly or subtly, about happiness, satisfaction, or fulfillment.

But I’m asking you, how is your righteousness? And the reason I ask this question is out of love.

Being upright or morally right or making virtuous decisions with our thoughts, words, and actions are good definitions of righteousness. Comparing yourself to that definition, how do you do?

Another definition that I have always liked for righteousness is “being right with God.” If you compare yourself to the definition “being right with God,” how do you do? And again, the reason I ask is out of love.

I think you probably make good decisions often, and say virtuous things often and for the most part feel like you are right with God. But how long can you do those righteous actions, good thoughts, and virtuous words without making a mistake?

If you’re like me, and you are honest with yourself, you find that you cannot go very long being perfect.

Everybody say it with me: “Nobody’s perfect.” But this imperfection is what keeps us from being right with God.

I love you and I probably don’t even know you. I love you because God loves you. I love you enough to point out to you that you are not right with God and there is a consequence to that condition and solution that will make things right.

God gives us the answer, the consequence, and the solution to not being righteous.

First, the answer: God says no one is righteous, not even one, because we have all turned to our own selfish desires instead of virtuous thoughts, words, or actions. OK, I can come to grips with that answer. I understand that I have not done right things but have done things selfishly.

Second, the consequence: God says living selfishly and not making virtuous decisions is called sin and any sin will be punished by death — maybe not immediate death, but death, nonetheless. This death will place me in a very real location called hell instead of heaven.

I recently taped a quote to my wall, “Not everything fatal takes effect immediately.” This consequence seems harsh and scary. But just because I don’t like the consequences, doesn’t mean it is not true.

I need a solution that is outside myself. I need someone to rescue me. And you need someone to rescue you.

Third, and finally, the solution: God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to be perfect where we cannot be perfect, righteous where we cannot be righteous, and made Jesus fulfill the death consequence in our place. And to prove that Jesus was truly righteous — right with God in every way — God raised Jesus from the dead, three days after He died.

The invitation to be made righteous is available to everyone.

If you are curious or interested to learn more about this solution email me: [email protected].

Dale McCamish is Senior Minister of Wilmington Church of Christ.