The dictionary defines the word righteous as:
- acting in an upright, moral way; virtuous: a righteous and godly person.
The key words there, are acting and virtuous.
In the kingdom of heaven, true peace and equanimity is maintained because everyone is truly well behaved. They are filled with God's love, which is inherently and extremely, virtuous by nature.
Indeed, if you were to meet any inhabitant of the Kingdom of Heaven, you would find that they all behave like perfect ladies and gentlemen, embodying a degree of virtue that is not easy to find, even in the greatest king or queen on earth.
If you were to put a perfect king beside a well-trained butler and dress them in the same attire, you would find it extremely difficult to tell them apart. This is because they both behave with dignity and graciousness.
It is not what we do that defines our lives, our peace and happiness. It is how we do what we do.
"Whosoever shall receive this child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great." Luke 9:46-48
The greatest virtue of all is humility, as it is humility that balances the active and passive elements of virtue, assertiveness with graciousness, confidence with patience, dignity with mercy, for example.
Our position in life is not so relevant. If you truly believe that eternal life exists, then what does it matter if today you are a king? This too shall pass and one day you'll be the beggar! Life is just a movie, a range of emotion and experiences that rise and fall like a tide.
It is how you behave that will determine your eternal peace and happiness. Are you up to the challenge? Can you try to behave like a perfect gentle man or woman, no matter where you are? No matter the circumstances you find yourself in?
So many people believe that to be like Jesus, means to heal the sick and perform miracles. These acts were a result of the virtuous nature of God flowing within and through him. Remember, Jesus was moved with compassion. That degree of true virtue is beyond our own ability and Jesus wanted us to know that the only way, is to surrender to God and not let our own mind stand in the way of the true , holy, virtuous nature of God moving through us.
The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. Proverbs 23:24
Jesus treated everyone equally, with respect and honour. Even those who tortured and crucified him could only admire him for the way he behaved. The very concept of the perfect gentleman arose from his example.
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18
