Topical Bible: Righteousness: The Wicked Follow not After

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Topical Encyclopedia

Righteousness, in the biblical context, is a state of moral purity or uprightness that is in alignment with God's standards and commands. It is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, representing the character and actions that are pleasing to God. The concept of righteousness is often juxtaposed with wickedness, highlighting the stark contrast between those who seek to live according to God's will and those who do not.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently portrays righteousness as a path that the wicked do not pursue. In the Old Testament, the Psalms and Proverbs frequently contrast the righteous with the wicked. Psalm 1:6 states, "For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." This verse underscores the protective and guiding hand of God over those who are righteous, while the wicked are left to their own destructive paths.

Proverbs 4:18-19 further illustrates this contrast: "The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble." Here, righteousness is depicted as a journey toward increasing light and clarity, whereas wickedness leads to confusion and darkness.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles continue to emphasize the distinction between the righteous and the wicked. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, calls His followers to a higher standard of righteousness that surpasses that of the Pharisees and teachers of the law (Matthew 5:20). This righteousness is not merely external adherence to the law but a transformation of the heart.

The apostle Paul, in his epistles, often contrasts the life led by the Spirit with the life led by the flesh. In Romans 8:6-8 , Paul writes, "The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God." The wicked, being led by the flesh, are unable to pursue righteousness, which is a fruit of the Spirit.

The Call to Righteousness

The call to righteousness is a call to live in accordance with God's will, as revealed through His Word. The wicked, by definition, reject this call, choosing instead to follow their own desires and inclinations. Isaiah 55:7 exhorts, "Let the wicked man forsake his own way and the unrighteous man his own thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon."

The pursuit of righteousness is not merely a human endeavor but is made possible through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:22 declares, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." It is through this faith that believers are empowered to live righteously, in contrast to the wicked who do not seek after God.

Conclusion

The biblical narrative consistently presents righteousness as a path distinct from that of the wicked. While the righteous are guided and protected by God, the wicked are left to their own devices, leading to destruction. The call to righteousness is a call to align one's life with God's will, made possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 9:30
What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... it with Dr. Trapp: "Be not over much wicked: why shouldst ... God is not meat and drink,
but righteousness, and peace ... himself, and take up his cross, and follow thee ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

Article iii: of Love and the Fulfilling of the Law.
... discover in God's judgment that this confidence in his own righteousness is wicked
and vain ... of love to God although it is necessary that this should follow. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 6 article iii of.htm

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us,"
... to God, and forsake their own wicked way, is ... a mere imagination, if this lively
operation do not follow. ... and within us too;""that the righteousness of the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv that the righteousness.htm

Man was to be Rescued from the Power of the Devil, not by Power ...
... adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. ... return unto judgment, and all
who follow it are ... humility and weakness; "until the righteousness," which the ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 13 man was to be.htm

The Evidence of Scripture on Changes of Determination.
... all the chains of law that it may be ready to follow the call ... and if he repent of
his sin and do judgment and righteousness, and if that wicked man restore ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxv the evidence of.htm

Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... of their hearts, and went astray with wicked lives and ... astray halting between two
opinions, but follow after me only ... you into a land of righteousness, where all ...
/.../vii sermon for the fourth.htm

Faustus Claims that the Manich??ans and not the Catholics are ...
... blessed are they that are persecuted for righteousness' sake," [328 ... will not be seen
by the wicked; for "blessed ... But if you really follow your own Christ, your ...
/.../faustus claims that the manichaeans.htm

The Parable of the Tares, by Bishop Latimer, Preached on the 7Th ...
... of Christ is accounted to be our righteousness, and through ... in any evil town or parish,
follow not these examples ... will be preserved in the midst of the wicked. ...
/.../knox/the pulpit of the reformation nos 1 2 and 3 /the parable of the tares.htm

Truth Hidden when not Sought After.
... Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come[3]. On the ... knowing
whither he went; so we, if we follow the voice ... "The way of the wicked is in ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon xiii truth hidden when.htm

Certainty of Our Justification.
... All other things spring from it and follow it. ... who in himself is and remains wicked,
at the ... and holiness; and of that satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii certainty of our justification.htm