Topical Encyclopedia
Righteousness, as a fundamental attribute of God's character, is a central theme throughout the Bible. It denotes a state of moral purity and uprightness that aligns with God's standards. For the saints, or believers, living in righteousness is not merely an ideal but a divine expectation and calling.
Biblical FoundationThe call to live in righteousness is rooted in the nature of God Himself. As the psalmist declares, "The LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face" (
Psalm 11:7). This divine attribute is not only to be admired but also emulated by those who follow Him. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers in
Ephesians 4:24 to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness" .
Imputed and Practical RighteousnessIn Christian theology, righteousness is often understood in two dimensions: imputed and practical. Imputed righteousness refers to the righteousness of Christ that is credited to believers through faith. As Paul writes in
Romans 4:5, "However, to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness" . This foundational aspect assures believers of their standing before God.
Practical righteousness, on the other hand, involves the daily living out of this imputed righteousness. It is the manifestation of a transformed life, as believers are called to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (
Ephesians 4:1). This involves a conscious effort to align one's actions, thoughts, and desires with God's will.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe pursuit of righteousness is empowered by the Holy Spirit, who indwells believers. The Spirit guides, convicts, and strengthens the saints in their journey toward holiness.
Galatians 5:16 encourages believers to "walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" . The fruit of the Spirit, which includes attributes such as love, joy, peace, and self-control, is evidence of a life lived in righteousness (
Galatians 5:22-23).
Righteousness in CommunityLiving in righteousness is not an isolated endeavor but is meant to be expressed within the community of believers. The church is called to be a "holy nation" (
1 Peter 2:9), reflecting God's righteousness to the world. This communal aspect is emphasized in
Hebrews 10:24, which urges believers to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" .
Challenges and PerseveranceWhile the call to live in righteousness is clear, believers face challenges from the world, the flesh, and the devil. Yet, they are encouraged to persevere, knowing that their labor in the Lord is not in vain (
1 Corinthians 15:58). The promise of eternal life and the hope of seeing God face to face serve as motivation to continue in righteousness.
ConclusionThe call to live in righteousness is a profound aspect of the Christian life, reflecting the transformative power of the Gospel. Through the imputed righteousness of Christ and the enabling of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to pursue a life that honors God and bears witness to His holiness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Titus 2:12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Torrey's Topical Textbook1 Peter 2:24
Who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live to righteousness: by whose stripes you were healed.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
How no one is Righteous or Can Truly be Said to Live in Comparison ...
... To them the light of the saints will shine. ... living will not be justified before God,
as compared with the righteousness of God ... Why should we be in further doubt ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/11 how no one is.htm
The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... an everlasting righteousness, because all the saints that have ... be saved, are all
saved by the righteousness of Christ. ... thou me." Pray, for what should you and ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm
Chapter i.
... Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men ... that man would not speak absurdly
who should say, In ... offering that is made for the saints, "Not because I ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter i 2.htm
The Admonition.
... us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously ...
in which they are to be arrayed "is the righteousness of saints," 19:8 ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the admonition.htm
Of Another Kind of Perverted Men
... And this is a righteousness that shall never pass away. ... and from within, with virtues
and with goodly behaviour, as do the saints; and should lovingly and ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter lxvii of another kind.htm
The Lord Our Righteousness
... is not of works, lest any man should boast, that ... deny the doctrine of an imputed
righteousness, whatever we ... you that you must intercede with saints, for them ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm
"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... Therefore ye must here study righteousness and holiness ... and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously ... and obtain the salvation which the saints look for ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii but seek ye.htm
The Kingly Priesthood of the Saints
... bath "laid up for me a crown of righteousness." Oh, saint ... what you affirm, when you
say that saints are kings; for, if we were kings, we should never have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the kingly priesthood of the.htm
The Death of the Righteous
... it be to see Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, clothed with ... Here we are combating
with Satan, and should we not ... O ye saints, desire death; it is your ascension ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/1 the death of the.htm
Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... misery into the hearts and families of God's saints. ... Adam fell, so all the elect
did righteousness when Christ ... from sin; that he no longer should live the rest ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm
Resources
What is the fruit of righteousness in Philippians 1:11? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)? | GotQuestions.orgRighteousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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