Topical Bible: Righteousness: Ministers should Follow After

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Righteousness, in the biblical context, refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable, aligning with God's standards and commands. It is a central theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of living a life that reflects God's holiness and justice. For ministers, who are called to lead and shepherd God's people, the pursuit of righteousness is not merely an option but a divine mandate.

Biblical Foundation

The call for ministers to pursue righteousness is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, the prophets often highlighted the importance of righteousness in leadership. For instance, in Isaiah 56:1 , the Lord commands, "Maintain justice and do what is right, for My salvation is close at hand and My righteousness will soon be revealed." This underscores the expectation that leaders, including ministers, should embody righteousness as they anticipate God's deliverance.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul provides explicit instructions to Timothy, a young minister, regarding the pursuit of righteousness. In 1 Timothy 6:11 , Paul exhorts, "But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." Here, righteousness is listed among the virtues that Timothy, and by extension all ministers, should actively seek.

Characteristics of Righteousness

Righteousness for ministers involves several key characteristics:

1. Moral Integrity: Ministers are called to live lives of moral integrity, reflecting the character of Christ. This includes honesty, purity, and ethical behavior in all aspects of life and ministry.

2. Justice and Fairness: Righteousness involves a commitment to justice and fairness, ensuring that decisions and actions are equitable and reflect God's just nature. Proverbs 21:3 states, "To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice."

3. Faithfulness to God's Word: Ministers must adhere to the teachings of Scripture, using it as the ultimate guide for righteous living. Psalm 119:105 declares, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path," highlighting the role of God's Word in guiding righteous conduct.

4. Compassion and Love: Righteousness is not merely about following rules but also about embodying the love and compassion of Christ. This is evident in the call to love one's neighbor and care for the marginalized, as seen in Matthew 25:40 , "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me."

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The pursuit of righteousness is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who works within believers to produce the fruit of righteousness. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are essential for ministers as they seek to live righteously and lead others in the faith.

Challenges and Encouragement

Ministers face numerous challenges in their pursuit of righteousness, including societal pressures, personal temptations, and the weight of leadership responsibilities. However, Scripture provides encouragement and assurance of God's support. Philippians 1:6 offers hope: "being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus."

In summary, righteousness is a vital pursuit for ministers, requiring a commitment to moral integrity, justice, faithfulness, and love, all empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through the guidance of Scripture and the strength provided by God, ministers are equipped to lead lives that honor Him and effectively shepherd His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Timothy 6:11
But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... Therefore we should be chiefly concerned about preserving the purity ... Other ministers
might well accuse him of desiring to exalt ... RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW IS VAIN ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

A Consecrated Ministry
... It is not God's will that His ministers should seek to be rich ... But thou, O man of
God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 34 a consecrated ministry.htm

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
... diligence and seriousness in godliness should be upon ... urging all, but belonging to
ministers, or more ... the establishing of Christ's righteousness,"no denial ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi who walk not.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... morality and good works, (as all faithful ministers will do ... as to his active and
passive obedience, is our righteousness? ... I am safe; but if there should be such ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

But if any have Endured Much violence and the Strong Pressure of ...
... again heard from their fellow-ministers, they will be ... obeying him who says, "Follow
after righteousness, godliness, faith ... canon decrees that they should each in ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xiv but if any.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... blood, and adorning their persons with the righteousness of the ... of any of our most
honoured ministers or most ... It was told him before that he should have a seed ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for ... world; and it
is important he should be aware of ... Nay, it is what all ministers of Christ are ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

The Ministry.
... they need but look to their ministers, and they shall ... confirm them in the truth,
I gladly should be contented. ... and they that turn many to righteousness, as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxii the ministry.htm

Of the Creation of Man, and of the Arrangement of the World, and ...
... perceive, God willed that both should exist alike ... often holds, With those fair ministers
of light ... I have substituted righteousness for the translator's justice ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap v of the creation of.htm

Methodists, or the Methodist Episcopal Church.
... is very far gone from original righteousness, and of ... The ministers of Christ were
not commanded by God's ... not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/methodists or the methodist episcopal.htm