Topical Bible: Righteousness: Promised to the Church

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Righteousness, a central theme in Christian theology, is often understood as the state of moral purity or being in right standing with God. Within the context of the Church, righteousness is not only a present reality but also a future promise, deeply rooted in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

Biblical Foundation

The promise of righteousness to the Church is grounded in the New Testament, where the Apostle Paul frequently addresses the concept. In Romans 3:22, Paul writes, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." This verse underscores the belief that righteousness is imputed to believers through faith, not by works, aligning with the doctrine of justification by faith.

Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul elaborates on the divine exchange that occurs through Christ: "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 passage highlights the transformative aspect of righteousness, where believers are not only declared righteous but are also being made righteous through their union with Christ.

Righteousness as a Present Reality

For the Church, righteousness is both a gift and a calling. Believers are called to live out their righteous status in practical ways. Ephesians 4:24 exhorts Christians to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This call to action reflects the ongoing process of sanctification, where the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live in accordance with God's standards.

The Apostle John also speaks to the present reality of righteousness in 1 John 3:7: "Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." Here, righteousness is evidenced by a life that mirrors the character of Christ, demonstrating the transformative work of the Spirit in the believer's life.

Righteousness as a Future Promise

While righteousness is a present reality, it is also a future promise that will be fully realized in the eschaton. The Church looks forward to the day when righteousness will be perfectly manifested in the new creation. In 2 Peter 3:13, the apostle Peter assures believers, "But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells."

This future hope is further emphasized in Revelation 19:8, where the Church, depicted as the Bride of Christ, is granted "to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and pure." The fine linen represents "the righteous acts of the saints," signifying the culmination of the Church's journey toward holiness and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of righteousness.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the realization of righteousness within the Church. As the agent of sanctification, the Spirit works in 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—qualities that reflect a righteous life.

Moreover, the Spirit assures believers of their righteous standing before God. Romans 8:16-17 states, "The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ." This assurance is a foretaste of the full inheritance of righteousness that awaits the Church.

Conclusion

Righteousness, as promised to the Church, is a multifaceted concept encompassing both a present reality and a future hope. Rooted in the redemptive work of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, the Church is called to live out its righteous identity while eagerly anticipating the day when righteousness will be fully realized in the new creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 32:16
Then judgment shall dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 45:8
Drop down, you heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 61:11
For as the earth brings forth her bud, and as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.
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Isaiah 62:1
For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burns.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Gift of the Spirit
... of sin, and presented before the mind the standard of righteousness, the Holy ... to
receive and use the power that God has promised to His church for the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 5 the gift of.htm

But, Say They, How is the Flesh by a Certain Likeness Compared ...
... was made unto us by God, Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification ... all our
sicknesses," [1906] shall have led His Church unto the promised healing of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 25 but say they.htm

Articles vii and viii: of the Church.
... Christ affords those gifts which He has promised to the ... If we will define the Church
only as an outward ... that the kingdom of Christ is righteousness of heart ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 11 articles vii and.htm

The Formation and Order of the Primitive Church.
... blasphemer whose blood they had shed, was the Redeemer promised to the Church, the
Son ... an approbation of the plan of salvation by his righteousness, and a ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture iii the formation and.htm

On the Church of the Old Testament, or under the Promise
... and misery, to a participation of the righteousness of faith ... mercy in this blessed
Seed and the promised Messiah, in ... to the infantile age of the church herself ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation li on the church.htm

On the Church of God and of Christ: or on the Church in General ...
... of God and the servants of righteousness, (on which ... to godliness, and in expectation
of the blessings promised. ... the chief good of the church, is blessedness ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation l on the church.htm

Of the Prophecies of the Old Testament in their visible ...
... even as the Lord Himself has promised; [1507] and ... of those within the Catholic Church
itself whom ... loved, and truth, and holiness, and righteousness, and charity ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 27 of the prophecies of.htm

The Distinction Between Clean and Unclean Animals in the Law ...
... distinguished mystically from the divine Church), let us ... besides, perform the works
of righteousness coarsely and ... a fragmentary way, as we promised; and having ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xviiithe distinction between clean.htm

Article xv (viii): of Human Traditions in the Church.
... sin, and are of profit in the Church for tranquility ... the office of Christ and the
righteousness of faith ... the remission of sins has been promised not because of ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 20 article xv viii .htm

The Holy Spirit Convicting the World of Sin, of Righteousness and ...
... because they believe not on Me; of righteousness, because I go ... Spirit had come just
as Jesus had promised that He ... of an inquiry meeting in our church in Chicago ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter vii the holy spirit.htm