Pursue righteousness!

There's no doubt that God loves righteousness. He is light, and in Him, there is no darkness, as the Scriptures say. "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) It is also revealed in His word that, "If we claim to have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth." (1 John 1:6)

Right off the bat, we see that Jesus requires a holy people, an upright people, people who love the light and walk in the light. "But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7) It is also written in 1 Peter 1:14-16:

"As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'

This will of God for His people is even made clearer in the book of Ephesians:

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." (Ephesians 5:8)

There is exhortation after exhortation to believers in Christ to love the way of the light and pursue it. And you know what? It is for our own good. Even back in the Old Testament days, God told the Israelites that if they kept His law, everything would go well for them—that it would be beneficial for them.

"Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!" (Deuteronomy 5:29)

Something similar is also spoken of in the New Testament, and this is something you should really pay attention to, child of God. Listen to what the Scriptures say:

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous

and His ears are attentive to their prayer,

but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12, quoting Psalm 34:15-16)

There is a special favor from God bestowed upon those who keep His word, and since the word of God reveals His way of light, you will walk in righteousness if you actively keep it. Here is another precious promise from Jesus to His people. Jesus says in the Gospel of John:

“You are my friends if you do what I command.” (John 15:14)

"Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." (John 14:21)

So, friendship with Jesus is reserved for those who obey His word. Think about that.