The concept of righteousness is central to the character of saints in the Bible. Righteousness, in a biblical sense, refers to living in accordance with God's standards and commands. It is both a state of being and a way of life that reflects God's holiness and justice.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently portrays righteousness as an essential attribute of those who are in right standing with God. In the Old Testament, righteousness is often associated with adherence to the Law and the covenant relationship between God and His people. For instance, Genesis 15:6 states, "Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness" . This verse highlights the foundational principle that righteousness is rooted in faith and trust in God.

In the New Testament, righteousness is further expounded through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus emphasizes the importance of a righteousness that surpasses mere legalistic adherence to the Law. In Matthew 5:20, He declares, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" . This indicates that true righteousness involves a transformation of the heart and a commitment to living out God's will.

Attributes of Righteousness

1. Faith and Trust in God: Righteousness begins with faith. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him" . Faith is the foundation upon which righteous living is built.

2. Obedience to God's Commands: Righteous individuals are characterized by their obedience to God's commands. Psalm 119:172 declares, "My tongue sings of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteous" . Obedience is a natural outflow of a heart aligned with God's will.

3. Moral Integrity: Righteousness involves living with moral integrity and uprightness. Proverbs 11:3 states, "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them" . Saints are called to live lives that reflect God's moral standards.

4. Justice and Fairness: Righteousness is closely linked to justice. Micah 6:8 emphasizes this connection: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" . Righteous individuals seek to promote justice and fairness in their interactions with others.

5. Compassion and Mercy: Righteousness is also demonstrated through acts of compassion and mercy. James 1:27 highlights this aspect: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" . The righteous are moved by love and compassion for those in need.

The Role of Christ in Righteousness

The New Testament reveals that true righteousness is ultimately found in Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are made righteous before God. Romans 3:22-24 explains, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" . Christ's righteousness is imputed to believers, enabling them to stand blameless before God.

The Pursuit of Righteousness

While righteousness is a gift from God, it is also something that believers are called to actively pursue. Philippians 1:11 encourages believers to be "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" . This pursuit involves a continual process of sanctification, where believers grow in holiness and conformity to the image of Christ.

In summary, the character of saints as righteous is a multifaceted concept that encompasses faith, obedience, moral integrity, justice, compassion, and a deep reliance on the righteousness of Christ. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live out this righteousness in their daily lives, reflecting the character of God to the world.Isaiah 60:21
Your people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Nave's Topical Index

Luke 1:6
And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.
Nave's Topical Index

The Character and Supports of Widows Indeed.
... Those of this character when they find themselves destitute ... In such cases the saints
may plead God's honor ... dangerous is seldom long the state of the righteous. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxiv the character and.htm

Vision Second. Again, of his Neglect in Chastising his Talkative ...
... His Talkative Wife and His Lustful Sons, and of His Character. ... For the repentance
of the righteous has limits. ... the days of repentance to all the saints; but to ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision second again of his.htm

The Third vision "In Heaven"
... Here we have more than mere avengement of the martyrs; or, righteous government. ...
It was the special character of saints under the Law, to fear the Lord. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the third vision in heaven.htm

On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving of ...
... II."On the Formation of the Character of Believers ... the Lord come, and all His saints
with Him ... go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous shall go ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the formation of.htm

The Character of the Persons for whom this Rest is Designed.
... 6. As an essential part of the character of God's people ... more desirable to them than
the glory of the saints. ... And is it not a righteous thing that they should ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iv the character of.htm

Of the Sacrifices Offered to God by the Saints, which are to be ...
... believed that after such a cleansing the righteous shall retain ... sin, the only instance
of which character was found ... the body and soul of the saints the purity ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the sacrifices offered.htm

God and his Saints
... Hebrew poetry, somewhat arbitrarily, 'all His saints are in ... or holiness is not moral
character, goodness of ... And so 'saint' means, secondly, righteous and pure ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/god and his saints.htm

The Good Man Useful in Life and Happy in Death.
... is the way and end of the righteous and the ... of Providence, and the apparent disregard
of character, in those ... after glancing at the lives of saints and sinners ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxv the good man.htm

God's Inheritance in the Saints
... Assimilation to His character makes us own and have Him ... Now what does he mean by
'saints'? ... take it to mean, pure men, holy in the sense of clean and righteous. ...
/.../gods inheritance in the saints.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... be denied?" If the foundation be destroyed, what shall the righteous do?" Where ... their
view accords with the Bible description of the character of the saints. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

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