Topical Bible: Righteousness: Ministers should Reason of

Bible > Topical > Righteousness

◄ Righteousness: Ministers should Reason of ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Righteousness, a central theme in the Christian faith, is the quality of being morally right or justifiable. It is a state of moral purity or correctness that is attributed to God and is expected of His followers. Ministers, as leaders and teachers within the Christian community, have a responsibility to reason about righteousness, guiding their congregations in understanding and living out this divine attribute.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of righteousness is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it is often associated with God's character and His expectations for humanity. In the Old Testament, righteousness is frequently linked with justice and is seen as a key attribute of God. For instance, Psalm 11:7 states, "For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face."

In the New Testament, righteousness takes on a more personal dimension, particularly through the teachings of Jesus Christ and the writings of the apostles. Jesus emphasized the importance of righteousness in the Sermon on the Mount, declaring, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). This beatitude highlights the deep longing and pursuit of righteousness that should characterize the life of a believer.

Role of Ministers

Ministers are called to reason about righteousness, both in their teaching and in their personal conduct. They are tasked with explaining the nature of righteousness as revealed in Scripture and encouraging their congregations to pursue it earnestly. This involves a careful exposition of biblical texts, helping believers understand the righteousness that comes from God and how it is manifested in a life of faith and obedience.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often reasoned about righteousness, emphasizing its significance in the life of a believer. In Romans 1:17 , he writes, "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Here, Paul underscores the transformative power of the gospel, which reveals God's righteousness and calls believers to live by faith.

Practical Implications

Ministers should reason about righteousness not only as a theological concept but also as a practical reality that impacts daily living. They are to guide their congregations in understanding that righteousness involves both a right standing before God, made possible through faith in Jesus Christ, and a commitment to live according to God's standards.

In reasoning about righteousness, ministers should address issues of personal integrity, social justice, and ethical behavior, encouraging believers to reflect God's righteousness in all areas of life. This includes fostering a community that values truth, compassion, and justice, as well as equipping individuals to make righteous choices in their personal and professional lives.

Encouragement and Exhortation

Ministers are also called to encourage and exhort their congregations to pursue righteousness with diligence and perseverance. Hebrews 12:11 reminds believers, "No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it." This passage highlights the process of growth in righteousness, which often involves discipline and training.

By reasoning about righteousness, ministers help believers understand that it is not merely a legalistic adherence to rules but a dynamic relationship with God that transforms the heart and mind. They are to inspire their congregations to seek God's kingdom and His righteousness above all else, trusting in His promise that "all these things will be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

In summary, ministers have a vital role in reasoning about righteousness, teaching and modeling it within the Christian community. Through their faithful exposition of Scripture and their own example, they guide believers in understanding and living out the righteousness that God desires.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 24:25
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Wicked Men Sin in Administering the Sacraments?
... sacraments to be righteous; because ministers should be like ... so also are his ministers."
Consequently, there ... belong to the holiness of righteousness, as being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether wicked men sin in.htm

The Blood of Sprinkling
... otherwise could not reach me, by reason of guilt ... and then made partakers of the
righteousness of him ... to the court whether these said ministers should be "clenzed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter v the blood of.htm

Our Love of the Righteous is Kindled from Love Itself of the ...
... the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the ... But we do not believe that
the ministers of God ... as always steadfast and unchangeable, we should not for ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 9 our love of the.htm

A Consecrated Ministry
... If for any reason their spiritual senses become ... not God's will that His ministers
should seek to ... these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 34 a consecrated ministry.htm

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is ...
... and do not expect to be saved by the righteousness of Jesus Christ ... was the way to
produce religious feeling, we should expect that ministers, and leaders ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye therefore perfect even 2.htm

Nevertheless I Tell You the Truth; it is Expedient for You that I ...
... they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I ... within our power, we have no
reason to expect ... V. In preaching the gospel, ministers should never use texts ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/nevertheless i tell you the.htm

Paul in Corinth.
... his record is on high." But the ministers of religion ... promise made to Paul, that
no man should set on ... and his holy Apostles; "but your righteousness shall go ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxi paul in corinth.htm

The Holy Spirit Convincing the World of Sin, Righteousness, and ...
... the Comforter to convince you of sin, righteousness, and of ... high and lofty One, who
inhabiteth eternity, should condescend to invite you by his ministers? ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the holy spirit convincing the.htm

Of Evil-Speaking in General.
... the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou ... Secondly, likewise ministers,
in the taxing sin and sinners ... And in reason we should rather follow them in ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/of evil-speaking in general.htm

The People's Christ
... Christ's ministers should be the friends of manhood at large ... with him, I would not,
I should lose so ... will espouse me to himself in righteousness, crowning me ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the peoples christ.htm