Topical Bible: Righteousness: Saints: Wait for the Hope of

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Righteousness, in the biblical context, is a state of moral purity or being right with God. It is a central theme throughout Scripture, reflecting God's nature and His expectations for humanity. For the saints, or believers, righteousness is not only a present reality but also a future hope that they eagerly await.

The concept of waiting for the hope of righteousness is deeply rooted in the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In Galatians 5:5, Paul writes, "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness" . This verse encapsulates the dual aspect of righteousness for the believer: it is both a present possession through faith and a future expectation.

The hope of righteousness is closely tied to the eschatological promises of God. It is the anticipation of the full realization of God's kingdom, where righteousness will reign supreme. This hope is not a passive waiting but an active, faith-filled anticipation. The saints, empowered by the Holy Spirit, live in the present with the assurance of future vindication and glorification.

In Romans 8:23-25, Paul further elaborates on this theme: "Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently" . Here, the hope of righteousness is linked with the ultimate redemption and transformation of the believer, a future event that is assured by the indwelling Spirit.

The saints' waiting is characterized by patience and perseverance. James 5:7-8 encourages believers to be patient as they await the Lord's coming: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient until it receives the early and late rains. You too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near" . This patience is not passive resignation but an active, hopeful endurance, rooted in the certainty of God's promises.

The hope of righteousness also involves a present pursuit of holiness and godliness. In 1 John 3:2-3, the apostle John writes, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure" . The future hope of being like Christ motivates the saints to live righteously in the present.

The saints' waiting for the hope of righteousness is thus a dynamic interplay of present faith and future expectation. It is a hope that sustains and empowers believers to live in accordance with God's will, as they anticipate the ultimate fulfillment of His promises in the return of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Galatians 5:5
For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Hope of the Redeemer's Return
... the Galatians he wrote, "For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness
by faith ... riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints" (Eph.1 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/chapter two the hope of.htm

Creation's Groans and the Saints' Sighs
... and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness; and that ... this groaning is universal
among the saints: there are ... a pleasant and precious thing so to wait and so ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/creations groans and the saints.htm

The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans
... who were first "called to be saints" at Rome ... inconsistent with being the slave of
righteousness, occupied in a ... the fulness of redemption, we wait with confident ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter xiii the epistle of.htm

Our Hope is not Death.
... there is laid up a crown of righteousness unto all ... the living and true God, and to
wait for His Son from heaven" - these Thessalonian saints were looking ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/3 our hope is not.htm

That Gospel Sermon on the Blessed Hope
... reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness;" but there ... us from the
wrath to come," To wait for his ... Jesus Christ with all his saints." Still again ...
/.../moody/that gospel sermon on the blessed hope/that gospel sermon on the.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... I do not have my crown now, but I have to wait for that ... To behold his face in
righteousness! ... Now, the saints, as it were, if I might use such a phrase, steal ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

Justification by an Imputed Righteousness;
... The righteousness of the second Adam, the Lord from ... misery into the hearts and families
of God's saints. ... Divine will, and a scriptural hope of justification ...
/.../justification by an imputed righteousness.htm

Heralds of the Morning.
... it together." "The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise ... faith and the character
of His saints to love ... believers should long, and hope, and wait for, as ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /17 heralds of the morning.htm

The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... Now we see, Blessed are all they that wait for him ... 4. The last preparative for the
saints' rest is their ... The crown of righteousness, which was laid up for them ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ii the great preparatives.htm

Heralds of the Morning
... it together." "The Lord God will cause righteousness and praise ... faith and the character
of His saints to love ... believers should long, and hope, and wait for, as ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 17 heralds of the.htm