Topical Bible: Righteousness: Saints: Follow After

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Topical Encyclopedia

Righteousness, in the biblical context, refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable, aligning with God's standards and commands. For the saints, or believers, pursuing righteousness is a fundamental aspect of their faith journey. The call to follow after righteousness is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of living a life that reflects God's holiness and justice.

Biblical Exhortations to Pursue Righteousness

The Bible consistently encourages believers to seek righteousness as a vital component of their spiritual walk. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul exhorts Timothy, a young pastor, to pursue righteousness among other virtues: "But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness" (1 Timothy 6:11). This passage highlights the active nature of pursuing righteousness, suggesting that it requires intentional effort and dedication.

Similarly, in his second letter to Timothy, Paul reiterates this call: "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart" (2 Timothy 2:22). Here, righteousness is linked with other virtues, indicating that it is part of a holistic approach to Christian living.

Old Testament Foundations

The pursuit of righteousness is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The Psalms and Proverbs frequently associate righteousness with wisdom and the fear of the Lord. For instance, Proverbs 21:21 states, "He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor" . This verse underscores the blessings and honor that accompany a life dedicated to righteousness.

The prophet Isaiah also speaks to the pursuit of righteousness, calling the people of Israel to seek the Lord and His ways: "Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were hewn" (Isaiah 51:1). This call to remember their spiritual heritage serves as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, urging them to live in accordance with His righteous standards.

Righteousness in the Life of the Believer

For the saints, following after righteousness involves both a positional and practical aspect. Positionally, believers are declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ, as articulated in Romans 3:22: "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" . This imputed righteousness is the foundation upon which believers build their lives.

Practically, the pursuit of righteousness is manifested in the believer's conduct and character. The Apostle John emphasizes the evidence of righteousness in the life of a believer: "If you know that He is righteous, you also know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him" (1 John 2:29). This practice of righteousness is a testament to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The pursuit of righteousness is not a solitary endeavor but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works within believers to produce the fruit of righteousness, as described in Galatians 5:22-23, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes reflect the righteous character of God and are cultivated in the life of the believer through the Spirit's guidance and empowerment.

Conclusion

The call to follow after righteousness is a central tenet of the Christian faith, urging believers to live in a manner that honors God and reflects His holy nature. Through the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit and the transformative work of Christ, saints are equipped to pursue righteousness, embodying the virtues and character that align with God's divine standards.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 51:1
Listen to me, you that follow after righteousness, you that seek the LORD: look to the rock from where you are hewn, and to the hole of the pit from where you are dig.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

All Saints' Day
... winds and bad times, then the Saints mourn over ... blessed who suffer persecution for
righteousness' sake. ... them; so that they may follow after blessedness whether ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xxv all saints day.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... blasphemous to join the intercession of saints with the ... if so, what absurdities will
follow the denying ... his active and passive obedience, is our righteousness? ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... it was a good work to follow after the robber ... the faith which has been once delivered
to the saints. ... sectaries who rail against imputed righteousness"that we ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

'The Breastplate of Righteousness'
... in the measure in which faith is vivid, but it should follow, not precede ... and white,'
which is the heavenly and final form of the righteousness of Saints. ...
/.../the breastplate of righteousness.htm

Paul and Felix
... heathen were converted, and became saints and martyrs ... well; but the fruit of
righteousness is everlasting ... Therefore follow after innocency, and take heed to the ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xii paul and felix.htm

Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ ...
... say, "which we hold up for you to follow, that remembering ... Similarly does Paul speak
concerning the righteousness of all the Jews and pious saints who are ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm

Twenty Fourth Sunday after Trinity Prayer and Spiritual Knowledge.
... Therefore he ought not to follow his own natural ... philosophers, jurists and their
kind, with their self-righteousness. These are not saints of light; they are ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty fourth sunday after trinity.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... it aright, we would seek grace, and follow after it ... death, but now grace reigns through
righteousness unto eternal ... Christ is the "King of saints," Revelation 15 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi but seek ye.htm

Conflict.
... Even faith cannot discern the individual saints that compose ... fruit of that discipline
in peace and righteousness. ... duty of the Church to follow after peace with ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiv conflict.htm

Psalm IV.
... the meaning, "Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and hope ... men (who doubtless are
many) who follow after things temporal ... is observed among the saints: of whom ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm iv.htm