Before Satan began to exercise his own will there was only righteous, holy, obedient behavior in Heaven. Sin did not exist. Therefore there may have been no knowledge of good and evil, no words or phrases that described either righteousness or sin.

We know Adam and Eve had no knowledge of righteousness or unrighteousness.

We know God did have knowledge of good and evil.

Whether the "Us," in the above verse, refers only to the members of the Godhead, or includes the angels, we cannot be certain. However, we do know that now God wants to portray righteousness to mankind, and perhaps the angels are included as well.

In fact, God prepared righteous behavior from the creation of the world so His elect could portray these good works in themselves, as Christ, the new covenant, is formed in them.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10—NIV)

It seems evident from the above verse that God prepared righteous works for us to perform so righteousness and praise would spring forth before the nations.

Notice also the following pertinent verse:

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (I Peter 2:12—NIV)

The Psalms tell us that God is going to visit the earth with judgment. We usually think of the term "judgment" as meaning punishment. Not necessarily! Judgment means the ability to distinguish between right and wrong.

In fact, one of the greatest of the needs of the Evangelical churches is to learn the difference between right and wrong. Grace has been taught in such a manner that man's normal understanding of right and wrong has been suppressed.

We need to pray that God will pour out on us the spirit of judgment so we may learn to behave righteously.

Righteous behavior always brings joy. The Kingdom of God is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Notice how judgment and joy go together in the following Psalm:

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, With trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn—shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; Let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity. (Psalms 98:4-9—NIV)

There is no Psalm more joyous than this! But notice that the rejoicing is occurring because of the prospect of the coming of Divine judgment. The separating of righteousness from unrighteousness always produces joy.

God has called each of His elect to be saints, to be holy ones. Our purpose in life is to portray the righteous, holy nature of God to the nations of saved peoples of the earth. This is the role of the Church of Jesus Christ.

To be continued.