September 23, 2025 - Proverbs 14:34 - "What is a Righteous Nation?"

Proverbs 14:34

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

When we speak of a righteous nation, we are not speaking of earthly kingdoms built on morals or outward order. No nation in this world has ever been made up of citizens who are perfectly righteous before God. Even Israel of old, though called holy, was only a shadow of something greater. The true nation that is exalted is a spiritual nation — a people chosen of God, redeemed by Christ, and born of His Spirit (1 Peter 2:9).

Who are these righteous ones? They are not those who work out their own righteousness or rely on the law. They are those whom God the Father has declared righteous through the righteousness that His Son earned and established in His spotless, sinless life, and laid down that life as the spotless Lamb of God to redeem each one that the Father sent Him to save. Christ, Who knew no sin, was made sin for His people, that they might be made the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). On the cross, He bore the guilt of those given to Him by the Father. He accomplished their redemption, satisfied Divine justice, and clothed them in His own perfect obedience (Romans 5:9-11). This is why righteousness truly exalts that spiritual nation for whom Christ died and God the Father justified. Not morality, not human effort, but the Righteousness of God worked out perfectly for each of the elect sinners for whom He died. In Him, the wrath of God has been turned away. In Him, the guilty are declared justified. In Him, the condemned are set free.

And this righteous nation is not limited by borders or bloodlines. God promised Abraham a great nation, and that promise was fulfilled not in physical Israel, but in Christ and His seed (Galatians 3:16). Out of every tribe, tongue, and people, God calls a holy nation, a chosen generation, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). Christ is their King, and His honor is magnified by the multitude of His willing subjects who serve Him in the day of His power (Psalm 110:3)

What marks the citizens of this kingdom? They honor their King with willing hearts. They have been given an understanding that is not natural, but the gift of Christ through His Spirit (1 John 5:20). Their hearts, once dead and deceitful, have been made sound by grace. They are merciful, for they know the mercy of God in Christ. They are delivered from the evil one, for at the cross the prince of this world was cast out, and Christ prayed that His redeemed are kept from the wicked one (John 17). They walk in wisdom, guided by His Spirit. And in death they have hope, for Christ in them is the Hope of glory.

This is the glory of Christ’s people — not their works, not their efforts, but His righteousness. If we try to work out our own righteousness, it will end in failure and reproach. But in Christ, justification and sanctification are complete, and the believer stands perfect before God. "For by one offering, He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14).

And so the citizens of this holy nation serve their King faithfully, as wise servants under His favor. They serve not in fear, but in grace, knowing that His wrath is satisfied and His mercy is sure. What a blessed kingdom in which to dwell —to be born of the Spirit, to be joined to Christ, to have Him as Head and King.

Here is the great call of the Gospel: Look to Christ. Trust Him alone. In Him is righteousness, in Him is Life, in Him is Peace. He is the exalted King, the sovereign Redeemer, and the Righteousness of His people.