Psalm 112:4-6 (ESV)
4 Light shines in the darkness for the godly. They are generous, compassionate, and righteous. 5 Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. 6 Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered.

James 3:9-11 (NLT)
9 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 10 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. 11 Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water?

Those who are righteous will be long remembered. It probably doesn’t matter if you’re self-righteous and self-serving or righteous and serving like God calls us to be. You’ll be remembered.

It’s hard to not remembered the greedy, selfish, narcissistic tool who was in your life for a second, minute, day, week, etc. They impact us because they are thieves. They steal from us to feed their voracious appetites.

The world embraces survival of the fittest and the carnage it brings. Humans then bemoan the consequences, and struggle to fix it without addressing the root cause. And we humans are supposed to be intelligent.

It’s even harder to forget the gracious peace and love of God, given without expecting return, often surprising those in the world by it’s guileless. Those moments build us up, and the vessels that carry God’s grace aren’t seeking anything but to bring God’s love, grace, and peace to the moment; bring love, grace, and peace to the world.

This is our calling, to lift each other up. That’s righteous the way God calls it. That’s Christ.

This is what’s vilified and mocked by the world.

Hosea 14:9
9 Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall.

Jude 1:20-21 (NLT)
21 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.