Topical Bible: Righteousness: Saints: Walk Before God In

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Topical Encyclopedia

Righteousness, in the biblical context, refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable in the sight of God. It is a state of living in accordance with God's laws and commands, reflecting His holiness and justice. For the saints, or those set apart by God, walking in righteousness is a fundamental aspect of their relationship with Him. This walk is characterized by a life of faith, obedience, and devotion, as they strive to align their actions and thoughts with God's will.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of walking before God in righteousness is deeply rooted in Scripture. In Genesis 17:1, God commands Abram, "I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless." This call to walk blamelessly before God is a call to live a life of integrity and righteousness, setting a standard for all believers.

Faith and Obedience

Walking in righteousness is intrinsically linked to faith and obedience. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is the foundation upon which righteousness is built, as it compels the believer to trust in God's promises and commands.

Obedience is the practical outworking of faith. In Deuteronomy 5:33, the Israelites are instructed, "Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." This verse underscores the importance of adhering to God's commandments as a demonstration of righteousness.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling the saints to walk in righteousness. Galatians 5:16 encourages believers, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." The Spirit empowers and guides the believer, helping them to overcome sin and live a life that is pleasing to God.

Imputed Righteousness through Christ

Central to the Christian understanding of righteousness is the imputed righteousness of Christ. Romans 3:22 declares, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Through faith in Christ, believers are credited with His righteousness, allowing them to stand justified before God.

Practical Aspects of Walking in Righteousness

Walking in righteousness involves practical aspects of daily living. Micah 6:8 provides a succinct summary: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" This verse highlights justice, mercy, and humility as key components of a righteous walk.

Furthermore, Ephesians 4:1-3 exhorts believers to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." These attributes reflect the character of a life lived in righteousness.

The Reward of Righteousness

The Bible promises rewards for those who walk in righteousness. Psalm 1:1-3 describes the blessedness of the righteous, "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked... He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does." This imagery conveys the stability, fruitfulness, and prosperity that accompany a righteous life.

In conclusion, walking before God in righteousness is a calling for all saints, requiring faith, obedience, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It is a journey marked by the pursuit of holiness, justice, and love, reflecting the character of God and resulting in His blessings.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 3:6
And Solomon said, You have showed to your servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before you in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with you; and you have kept for him this great kindness, that you have given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... faith was counted to him for righteousness, and those ... to record the faults of the
saints without extenuating ... is said to help Abram to walk before God and to be ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... If ye could walk never so blamelessly in this world, all this will not come as
righteousness in God's sight ... This is the righteousness of the saints in heaven ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi but seek ye.htm

All Saints' Day
... the bliss of that everlasting All Saints' Day which St ... have hungered and thirsted
after righteousness, and now ... indeed angels and archangels, must walk for ever ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon i all saints day.htm

The Boasted Merit of Works Subversive Both of the Glory of God, in ...
... Again, "The saints ascribe nothing to their merits; every ... heir of heaven, a partaker
of righteousness, a possessor ... before ordained that we should walk in them ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 the boasted merit.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... "O fear the Lord, ye his saints, for there ... scribes and Pharisees, who satisfied
themselves with a mere walk before men ... This was man's righteousness but not God's ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii but seek ye.htm

The Great Preparatives for the Saints' Rest.
... them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after ... 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

The Lord Our Righteousness
... he was asked, "Unto which of the saints wilt thou ... we believe, we love, we endeavour
to walk in all ... The human righteousness of Christ, at least the imputation ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 20 the lord our.htm

The Saint among Sinners
... household' needed to be very unmistakable saints, if they ... this communion is the
foundation of all righteousness in conduct. ... To walk with God is the true way to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the saint among sinners.htm

The Lord's Prayer --Our Father in Heaven
... they have a heart"a fountain and source of good actions"believing unto righteousness,
in harmony ... For as is His walk in saints such is His walk in the ...
/.../origen/origen on prayer/chapter xiii the lords prayerour.htm

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... of experience, and enabling you to walk with a ... faith which has been once delivered
to the saints. ... justified and made righteous by the righteousness of Christ ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm