Topical Bible: Righteousness: Blessedness of Doing

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Righteousness, in the biblical context, is often understood as living in accordance with God's will and commands. It is a state of moral purity and uprightness that reflects the character of God. The blessedness of doing righteousness is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the joy, peace, and divine favor that accompany a life committed to God's standards.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of righteousness is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. In the Hebrew Scriptures, righteousness (צְדָקָה, tzedakah) is closely associated with justice and ethical conduct. The Psalms and Proverbs frequently highlight the blessings that come from living righteously. Psalm 1:1-3 declares, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does."

The prophet Isaiah also speaks to the rewards of righteousness, stating in Isaiah 32:17 , "The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever." Here, righteousness is linked to peace and security, underscoring the holistic well-being that comes from aligning one's life with God's will.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, righteousness takes on a more personal dimension through the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5-7, is a cornerstone of Christian ethical teaching. Jesus begins with the Beatitudes, pronouncing blessings on those who pursue righteousness. Matthew 5:6 states, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This beatitude highlights the deep spiritual satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from earnestly seeking righteousness.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the blessedness of righteousness in his epistles. In Romans 6:13 , Paul exhorts believers, "Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness." Here, righteousness is portrayed as a transformative force, leading believers from death to life and enabling them to serve God effectively.

Practical Implications

The blessedness of doing righteousness is not merely a future promise but a present reality for those who live according to God's ways. James 1:25 emphasizes the practical outworking of righteousness: "But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so—not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer—he will be blessed in what he does." This verse underscores the importance of not only hearing God's word but actively living it out, resulting in tangible blessings.

Moreover, the pursuit of righteousness is intrinsically linked to the love of God and neighbor. In 1 John 3:7 , the apostle writes, "Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." This practice of righteousness is a reflection of the believer's relationship with Christ and manifests in acts of love, justice, and mercy.

Eternal Perspective

The blessedness of righteousness extends beyond this life into eternity. Jesus, in Matthew 25:46 , speaks of the final judgment, where the righteous will enter eternal life. This eternal perspective provides believers with hope and motivation to pursue righteousness, knowing that their efforts are not in vain but are part of God's eternal plan.

In summary, the blessedness of doing righteousness is a profound biblical truth that encompasses peace, fulfillment, divine favor, and eternal reward. It is a call to live in alignment with God's will, reflecting His character in every aspect of life.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 106:3
Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that does righteousness at all times.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Hilary. The Pure in Heart Blessed. The Doing and Perfecting of ...
... The Doing and Perfecting of Righteousness. ... is only when we shall be perfect in spirit
and changed in our immortal state, which blessedness has been ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 72 lxi hilary the pure.htm

The Blessedness of the Martyr.
... Chapter VII."The Blessedness of the Martyr ... of the Lord, in every action "testify,"
by doing what He ... but the Spirit is life because of righteousness." And again ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vii the blessedness of the.htm

You are Able to See his Righteousness
... are able to see His righteousness, and blessedness, and glory ... You are able to see
the righteousness of Love in ... For in doing the best of all possible things it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/25 you are able to.htm

A River of Peace and Waves of Righteousness
... is 'not hearkening' which is the root of not doing. ... own sakes, the path that leads
to all blessedness. Peace and Righteousness, or, in more modern words, all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a river of peace and.htm

The Righteousness of Works Improperly Inferred from Rewards.
... And it is performed when in righteousness and holiness ... too, encourages servants,
while faithfully doing their duty ... us to attribute eternal blessedness not to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the righteousness of.htm

Original Righteousness.
... And this the present age is doing. ... This was his original righteousness. ... Only in one
respect his blessedness differed from that of God's children, viz., his ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/v original righteousness.htm

Trumpets and Street Corners
... and never in itself wrong, but the doing it 'to ... goes on two principles: one that
righteousness is to ... over and above its own inherent blessedness; another, that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/trumpets and street corners.htm

Of what is to be Believed on the Subject of the Creation of Man ...
... always and everywhere glorious in goodness, righteousness, and clemency? ... the truth,
or power, or blessedness [1440] of ... consented unto her in the doing of that ...
/.../augustine/on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 18 of what is to.htm

A Homily on the Beatitudes, St. Matt. v. 9-Jan
... wishes thee to be merciful, righteousness to be ... the sons of God [1250] ." This
blessedness, beloved, belongs ... regular patristic term for the doing of charitable ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xcv a homily on.htm

The Reward of Obedience.
... God's reward lies closed in all well-doing: the doer ... grows more capable of God's
own blessedness, and of ... The reward itself, then, is righteousness; and the man ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the reward of obedience.htm