Righteous response

Matthew 1:19

Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly.

Anxiety

Once Mary was found to be with child, everyone connected with the two, I imagined, would experience high anxiety

Mary would be anxious of when Joseph would find out,

Joseph would be anxious once he made the discovery

Mary’s family, Joseph’s family and the entire community would on edge knowing what was legally available to Joseph. But one man is singled out in this passage for handling this situation with a righteous response “Lets talk about it”

What does a righteous response look like

Firstly, lets differentiate self righteousness from the attribute of God.

Mans righteousness is centered on mans justification of his thoughts and actions, while the attribute of God came only by the grace of God in the sacrifice of His only begotten son “For He made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Cor 5:21

We have to with hold our peace

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1: 19-20

I could only imagine, that in that situation I would be pretty upset, however to not do as the old folks use to say “lay my religion on the self” I have to hold my peace...You might be asking “How Pastor, when I’m so angry?”

Pump your breaks, ponder the situation, and pray for guidance

“Be angry, yet do not sin” Ephesians 4:26

It’s ok to be upset. Never let anyone tell you that feelings are wrong. It’s how we respond in our feelings that either line up with God’s word or are contrary.

We do this by pumping our breaks, Pondering, and praying

When will I know to act

Like the rapper Ludicrous wrote “When I move, you move…just like that”

When God speaks to you, do as directed

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me...” John 10:27

we don’t run ahead of God, we don’t stop in our understanding