Topical Encyclopedia
Righteousness, in the context of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, is a central theme that underscores His divine nature and mission. The righteousness of Christ is not only a testament to His sinless life but also a source of spiritual sustenance and strength throughout His earthly ministry.
Divine Nature and SinlessnessChrist's righteousness is rooted in His divine nature as the Son of God. As the incarnate Word, He embodies perfect holiness and purity. The Gospel of John affirms this divine nature, stating, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (
John 1:1). This divine identity is foundational to understanding how Christ was sustained by righteousness, as He lived in perfect alignment with the will of the Father.
Obedience to the FatherJesus' life was marked by unwavering obedience to the Father, which is a manifestation of His righteousness. In the Gospel of John, Jesus declares, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work" (
John 4:34). This statement highlights that Christ's sustenance was derived from His commitment to fulfilling the divine mission entrusted to Him. His obedience was not burdensome but rather a source of spiritual nourishment and strength.
Temptation and VictoryThe righteousness of Christ is further demonstrated in His victory over temptation. In the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by Satan, yet He remained steadfast, relying on the Word of God to counter each temptation. As recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus responded, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (
Matthew 4:4). This reliance on Scripture underscores how Christ's righteousness sustained Him, enabling Him to overcome the adversary.
Fulfillment of the LawChrist's righteousness is also evident in His fulfillment of the Law. He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it, as He stated in the Sermon on the Mount: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them" (
Matthew 5:17). His perfect adherence to the Law was a testament to His righteousness and served as a model for His followers.
Intercession and AdvocacyThe righteousness of Christ continues to sustain believers through His role as intercessor and advocate. The Apostle John writes, "But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One" (1
John 2:1). Christ's righteousness is not only a personal attribute but also a means by which He intercedes on behalf of humanity, providing a pathway to reconciliation with God.
Sacrificial LoveUltimately, Christ's righteousness is most profoundly demonstrated in His sacrificial love. The Apostle Paul writes, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (
2 Corinthians 5:21). Through His atoning sacrifice, Christ's righteousness is imparted to believers, offering them the hope of eternal life and a restored relationship with the Father.
In summary, the righteousness of Christ is a multifaceted attribute that sustained Him throughout His earthly ministry. It is evident in His divine nature, obedience, victory over temptation, fulfillment of the Law, intercessory role, and sacrificial love. This righteousness not only defined His life but also provides a foundation for the faith and hope of all who follow Him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Isaiah 59:16And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation to him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
On the Justification of Man as a Sinner, but yet a Believer ...
... nature of Christ, which is denominated habitual righteousness? Is the second those
sufferings which, from infancy to the moment of his decease, he sustained on ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on the justification of man.htm
The Mind which was in Christ Jesus. Rev. George Wood.
... and made them minister to the cause of truth and righteousness. ... IV. All these elements
of character in Christ were directed and sustained by the ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the mind which was in.htm
"There is Therefore Now no Condemnation to them which are in ...
... where no condemnation is, even Christ Jesus, who hath sustained the curse ... of itself,
and from justice, into that discovered righteousness of Christ, and so ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ii there is therefore.htm
Salvation
... his arm brought salvation unto him, and his righteousness it sustained him. This
text is often held to be a prophecy of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxi salvation.htm
Christ and Man in the Atonement
... it by sin, opens the gate of righteousness to the ... the inspiration of it, that the
apostle sustained his enthusiasm ... to deal with, it is the Christ through whom ...
/.../denney/the atonement and the modern mind/chapter iii christ and man.htm
Christ and Man in the Atonement
... it by sin, opens the gate of righteousness to the ... the inspiration of it, that the
apostle sustained his enthusiasm ... to deal with, it is the Christ through whom ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/chapter 9 christ and man.htm
Exposition: 1 John 3:1-10
... accomplished, when "the just for the unjust," he sustained the penalties ... righteous."
Good works prove that I have perfect righteousness in Christ; they do ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/exposition 1 john 3 1-10.htm
Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... MAN BY THE FALL sustained an infinite loss in the matter ... then a two-fold loss of
legal righteousness in the ... Jesus Christ came to undo the mischief of the fall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm
Its Nature
... imputation of sin to Christ and righteousness to His ... Christ undertook to make full
satisfaction to the law for His people because He sustained to them the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/5 its nature.htm
The Righteousness of Works Improperly Inferred from Rewards.
... to our weakness, which would immediately give way were it not sustained by this ... it
is an instrument by which we freely obtain the righteousness of Christ. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 the righteousness of.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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