Topical Bible: Righteousness: Promised to Saints

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Topical Encyclopedia

Righteousness, as a divine attribute and a moral quality, is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's nature and His expectations for humanity. For the saints—those set apart by faith in Christ—righteousness is not only a present reality but also a future promise, assured by God's covenantal faithfulness.

Old Testament Foundations

The concept of righteousness in the Old Testament is deeply rooted in the character of God and His covenant with His people. In Genesis 15:6, Abraham's faith is credited to him as righteousness, establishing a foundational principle that righteousness is linked to faith. The Psalms and the Prophets frequently speak of the righteous as those who live in accordance with God's laws and are promised His protection and blessing. Psalm 37:29 declares, "The righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever," indicating a future promise of security and prosperity for the righteous.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the promise of righteousness is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ embodies perfect righteousness and offers it to believers. Romans 3:22 states, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." This righteousness is imputed to the saints, not by works, but by faith, as emphasized in Ephesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

Eschatological Promise

The promise of righteousness extends into the eschatological hope of the saints. In the Beatitudes, Jesus promises, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). This future fulfillment is further elaborated in 2 Peter 3:13 , which assures believers, "But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells." The ultimate realization of righteousness will be in the new creation, where the saints will dwell in perfect harmony with God.

Practical Implications for the Saints

The promise of righteousness has practical implications for the lives of the saints. It calls them to live in a manner worthy of their calling, as seen in Philippians 1:11 : "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." This righteousness is both a gift and a pursuit, as believers are encouraged to "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" (2 Timothy 2:22).

Conclusion

Righteousness, promised to the saints, is a profound assurance rooted in the faithfulness of God and the redemptive work of Christ. It is both a present reality and a future hope, calling believers to live in alignment with God's will as they anticipate the fullness of His kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 60:21
Your people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 61:3
To appoint to them that mourn in Zion, to give to them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Sacrifices Offered to God by the Saints, which are to be ...
... of the legal sacrifices could have been promised to us ... and shall offer themselves
to God in righteousness, and be ... in the body and soul of the saints the purity ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the sacrifices offered.htm

There is a Greater Freedom Now in the Saints than There was Before ...
... But these [the saints], I say, not under the fear of ... And when He promised, "Abraham
believed Him, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." [3364] For ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 35 there is a greater.htm

In that Flesh in which the Saints have Suffered So Many ...
... In that flesh in which the saints have suffered so ... river Euphrates." [4726] If, then,
God promised him the ... God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxii in that flesh in.htm

How the Saints have Profitably Employed a Lie Like Hellebore.
... How the saints have profitably employed a lie like ... sees that anything has been done
or promised by some ... him greater gains of blessing and righteousness than by ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvii how the saints.htm

And a Little after He Saith, "For as Touching the Ministering to ...
... For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is ... up beforehand this your long
promised benediction, that ... given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 18 and a little.htm

All Saints' Day
... the bliss of that everlasting All Saints' Day which ... They have hungered and thirsted
after righteousness, and now ... reward in heaven which our Lord promised them. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon i all saints day.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... of Jesus I shall live, and inherit the promised blessing ... To believe not in the Saviour
of saints, but in ... is precious, and is counted unto us for righteousness. ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

Thoughts Upon the Appearance of Christ the Sun of Righteousness ...
... Joy, of the same nature with that which the glorified Saints in Heaven ... is here called
in a peculiar manner the Sun of Righteousness, and promised to arise ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the appearance of.htm

Fenelon -- the Saints Converse with God
... THE SAINTS CONVERSE WITH GOD. ... Others have solemnly promised to renounce their
resentments, to conquer ... success of our prayers upon our righteousness, but upon ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/fenelon the saints converse.htm

On the Justification of Man Before God
... or of the law, or as being the righteousness of another ... it has been promised
gratuitously, and promised to those ... that the good works of the Saints fully satisfy ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 19 on the justification.htm