Topical Encyclopedia
Righteousness is a central theme in the Bible, often associated with the character and actions of God, and it is perfectly embodied in the person of Jesus Christ. The love of Christ for righteousness is a profound aspect of His divine nature and mission on earth. This entry explores the biblical basis for Christ's love for righteousness, highlighting key scriptures and theological insights.
Biblical Foundation1.
Hebrews 1:8-9: The book of Hebrews provides a clear testament to Christ's love for righteousness. In
Hebrews 1:8-9 , it is written: "But about the Son He says: 'Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.'" This passage underscores the divine nature of Christ, affirming His eternal reign and His deep love for righteousness, which sets Him apart and results in His anointing with joy.
2.
Matthew 5:6: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Himself emphasizes the blessedness of those who pursue righteousness.
Matthew 5:6 states, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This beatitude reflects Christ's own heart and His desire for His followers to seek righteousness earnestly, promising fulfillment to those who do.
3.
John 14:15: Jesus' love for righteousness is also evident in His call to obedience as an expression of love. In
John 14:15 , Jesus says, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." Here, Christ links love for Him with the pursuit of righteousness through obedience to His teachings.
Theological Insights·
Incarnation and Righteousness: The incarnation of Christ is a profound demonstration of His love for righteousness. By taking on human form, Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to the Father, fulfilling all righteousness on behalf of humanity. His life serves as the ultimate example of righteous living, characterized by love, mercy, and justice.
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Atonement and Righteousness: Christ's sacrificial death on the cross is the pinnacle of His love for righteousness. Through His atoning work, He satisfied the demands of divine justice, making it possible for believers to be declared righteous before God. This act of love not only upholds the righteousness of God but also extends it to those who place their faith in Christ.
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Righteousness Imputed to Believers: The love of Christ for righteousness is further demonstrated in the doctrine of imputed righteousness. Through faith in Christ, believers are credited with His righteousness, as articulated in
2 Corinthians 5:21 : "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This exchange highlights the transformative power of Christ's love for righteousness in the lives of His followers.
Practical Implications·
Pursuit of Holiness: Believers are called to emulate Christ's love for righteousness by pursuing holiness in their daily lives. This involves a commitment to living according to God's standards, as revealed in Scripture, and a rejection of sin and wickedness.
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Love and Justice: Reflecting Christ's love for righteousness also means advocating for justice and mercy in the world. Christians are encouraged to engage in acts of love and compassion, seeking to address injustice and promote the well-being of others.
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Witness to the World: The love of Christ for righteousness serves as a powerful witness to the world. As believers embody His righteousness through their actions and character, they testify to the transformative power of the Gospel and the reality of Christ's love.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 45:7You love righteousness, and hate wickedness: therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
Torrey's Topical TextbookHebrews 1:9
You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Same Kind of Righteousness is Bestowed on all Christ ...
... I think that our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ spoke well when He summed up all
righteousness and piety ... as thyself.' [2313] For the man who loves God with ...
/.../chapter xciii the same kind of.htm
June 1. "That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in ...
... feels; think as Christ thinks, love as Christ loves, hate as Christ hates, and be
"partakers of the divine nature." That is God's righteousness; "that the ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /june 1 that the righteousness.htm
Righteousness.
... in heaven, is the righteousness of Jesus Christ, is God's ... The man who has this
righteousness, thinks about things as God thinks about them, loves the things ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/righteousness.htm
The Eternal Goodness
... farthing, if he loved him as he loves himself? ... the whole world till the day when
Christ shall reign ... new heaven and new earth, in which Righteousness shall dwell ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon v the eternal goodness.htm
The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... fixed his heart upon you, and having loved his own, he loves them unto ... wear them
as so many jewels of my crown." Therefore, Jesus Christ's righteousness may be ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm
Christ the Best Husband: or an Earnest Invitation to Young Women ...
... love, my dear sisters, is incomprehensible; his love passeth all other loves: The
love ... which is of the law, but you must have the righteousness of Christ. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the best husband or.htm
Oh, How He Loves!
... us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God ... all his life,
we may well say, "Behold how he loves her!" That was what Christ did for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 56 1910/oh how he loves.htm
Against the Belief of those who Think that the Sins which have ...
... would not deny to themselves the bread of righteousness, that is, Christ Himself;
for ... He therefore who loves Christ in a Christian extends alms to him in ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 27 against the belief of.htm
The Love that Constrains
... 'If there had been a law that could have given life, righteousness had been by the
law.' We want a life, not a ... Do you know and believe that Christ loves you? ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the love that constrains.htm
Christ in the Covenant
... Strip, sir, strip thine own righteousness off, and thine own fears too ... There is nothing
Christ dislikes more than for his people to make a ... he loves to be worked ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ in the covenant.htm
Resources
What does it mean to pursue righteousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the weapons of righteousness in 2 Corinthians 6:7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-righteousness? | GotQuestions.orgRighteousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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