We may have never realized just how very strait (constricted) (Luke 13:24) and narrow (Matthew 7:14) that way of righteousness is. It is very narrow and constricted. If God didn't tell us to think it, say it or do it, then it is sin. It is missing the mark. If God did tell us to do it and we get our flesh involved at all, to the extent that we get our flesh involved, it is sin. Whatever thought, word, or deed that is not of faith is sin, plain and simple. (faith Is Sin." target="_blank" href="http://seekfind.net/Romans_1423_Whatever_We_Do_Or_Think_That_Is_Not_Of_Faith_Is_Sin.html">Romans 14:23)

God has a process for righteousness and He is always the first mover in the process. We can't even seek God unless God draws us. (John 6:44-47)

1. God speaks. He speaks through Scripture. When God speaks to us and we hear it, faith comes. (Romans 10:17) But we must wait for a word from God. We can't generate or work up this word. God gives a word in season, in His timing. We can refuse to hear, but we cannot generate God's voice. We must wait. (some caveats about hearing God's Voice)
1. God speaks through His people, through the gifts of the Spirit. (1Corinthians 12:2-3)
2. God speaks through dreams and visions. (Numbers 12:6-8)
3. God speaks through His creation. (Psalm 19:2)
2. When God speaks, faith comes. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Literally, hearing by a word of God. How could we hear if God didn't speak. That is why we need to wait on Him and not rush off on our own. Much of what is called faith is simply rationalization or presumption. Real faith is God's faith; it is quite different from human faith.
3. When faith comes, it gives us access to God's grace. (Romans 5:2)
4. It is grace that does the work in us. (1Corinthians 15:10, Ephesians 2:10)
5. We must, however, yield ourselves to His grace. (Romans 6:12-22)
6. When God does His works through us, that is righteousness and it is a free gift from God to us. (Galatians 5:5, Romans 5:17, Romans 10:3)
7. Righteousness leads to holiness. (1 Peter 1:22, Romans 6:19 & 22, Ephesians 4:20-24) This is by the law of sowing and reaping. (Galatians 6:8)

This is very much linked to discerning the Body of Christ both in ourselves and in our brother and sister.

1 Peter 1:13-16 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation [Apokalupsis: removal of a covering or veil] of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation [every aspect of your life]; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

This verse has to do with seeing Jesus, and that brings this grace that does these works and ends up in holiness, which is sanctification. Here are some more verses that refer to this process of seeing Christ in our brother and sister and in ourselves and being changed to be like Him.

2 Corinthians 3:18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, reflecting like bright mirrors the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same likeness, from one degree of radiant holiness to another, even as derived from the Lord the Spirit. Weymouth New Testament

1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons [Greek: teknon tek'-non, literally, little children] of God, and it doth not yet appear [Greek: phaneroo, literally, something hidden that is revealed] what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear [Greek: phaneroo, literally, something hidden that is revealed] , we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

Real righteousness is by grace through faith.

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