Acts - Paul’s Discourse on Righteousness — Righteousness has consequences!
 Acts 24
25As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
Acts 25
22Then Agrippa said to Festus, “I would like to hear this man myself.” He replied, “Tomorrow you will hear him.”Acts 26
5They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 6And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today.- - -
27King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”
 28Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
 29Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”
 30The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31They left the room, and while talking with one another, they said, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”
Speaking on righteousness got Paul thrown in prison. But it wasn’t just speaking on it, he was living in it. Â
Paul believed God, despite all opposition:
Acts 25:5They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that according to the strictest sect of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee. 6And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our fathers that I am on trial today. 7This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. O king, it is because of this hope that the Jews are accusing me.
He obeyed God, to the best of his ability, both before his conversion:
9I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10And that is just what I did in Jerusalem.
…and after:
15“Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’
   ” ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16‘Now get up and stand on your feet.
When God spoke to Paul in the law, Paul believed and obeyed. When Jesus spoke to him face to face, Paul believed and obeyed. And when Jesus actually faced Paul (through an angel), Paul respected God’s name: “Who are you, Lord?” he said, as he fell to his knees.
So, when Paul discoursed on righteousness, he knew of what he spoke, because he was living it. He knew what righteousness. All of the Old Testament verses on righteousness that I’ve been blogging on all year? Paul knew them, and lived them. For that, God accounted it to him as righteousness, and Paul could preach to men on how to live, knowing he was not a hypocrite. And for that, he was put on trial, because people, Satan really, are threatened by the truth. They do not know what to do with it. They either live, or they put it down. We all do it… “look at him. He’s too Christian!” “Too godly to be any earthly good!” Did I hit a nerve… don’t worry, it hit a nerve in me, too.
My prayer for today God is that I could live in righteousness, and not judge those who live more righteously that I… and I pray the same for you, reader. Let us live today without judgement, but live it in God’s righteousness.