Topical Bible: Righteousness: The Wicked should Awake To

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Righteousness, a central theme in the Bible, is often depicted as the moral and ethical standard that aligns with God's character and commands. It is the state of being in right standing with God, achieved through faith and obedience. The call for the wicked to awaken to righteousness is a recurring exhortation in Scripture, urging those who have strayed from God's path to return to His ways.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of righteousness is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is associated with justice, fairness, and adherence to God's law. In the New Testament, righteousness is further expounded through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect righteousness. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, emphasizes that righteousness is not attained through human effort but through faith in Jesus Christ.

Call to the Wicked

The Bible frequently calls for the wicked to awaken to righteousness, highlighting the transformative power of repentance and faith. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet implores the people to seek the Lord and turn from their wicked ways: "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" (Isaiah 55:7).

Similarly, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, admonishes believers to live righteously and warns against the deceitfulness of sin: "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.' Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame" (1 Corinthians 15:33-34). Here, Paul urges the church to awaken from spiritual complacency and pursue a life of holiness.

The Role of Repentance

Repentance is a crucial step for the wicked to awaken to righteousness. It involves a sincere turning away from sin and a commitment to follow God's commandments. The prophet Ezekiel conveys God's desire for the wicked to repent and live: "Say to them: 'As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked should turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?'" (Ezekiel 33:11).

Righteousness Through Faith

The New Testament reveals that true righteousness is obtained through faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul articulates this in his letter to the Romans: "But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). This righteousness is a gift from God, imputed to believers who trust in Christ's redemptive work on the cross.

Living Out Righteousness

Awakening to righteousness involves not only a change of heart but also a transformation in behavior. Believers are called to live out their faith through acts of love, justice, and mercy. The prophet Micah encapsulates this call: "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?" (Micah 6:8).

In summary, the call for the wicked to awaken to righteousness is a divine invitation to experience the fullness of life in God. Through repentance, faith, and obedience, individuals can align themselves with God's righteous standards and reflect His character in the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 15:34
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Justice of God
... They should rather admire his mercy than complain of his ... God will judge in
righteousness.' Acts 17:71: Shall not ... The wicked shall drink a sea of wrath, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/8 the justice of god.htm

Righteousness.
... sacrifice, or its shadow called imputed righteousness, that only ... he could not indeed
allow him to be wicked, but would ... But indeed how should you be able to know ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/righteousness.htm

The Misery of those Who, Besides Losing the Saints' Rest, Lose the ...
... sought not first God's kingdom and righteousness, therefore shall ... so Satan is the
comforter of the wicked. ... a thief more careful lest he should awake the people ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vi the misery of.htm

The Alarum
... mother, Monica, he had been leading a wicked life; but ... sleeper: it needed that he
himself should be aware ... fount, and clothe him in the righteousness of Christ. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the alarum.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return
... Those wicked hands of men which nailed to the Cross ... judgment" (2:Pet.2:4), why then
should He continue ... reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/chapter three the fact of.htm

The Wicked Heart Set to do Evil.
... view which some take of the imputation of Christ's righteousness, which they ... He
says"Your son has been so wicked and has committed ... Suppose he too should fall ...
/.../finney/sermons on gospel themes/viii the wicked heart set.htm

Letter ix. Religious Culture and Duty.
... lake of fire and brimstone, into which wicked people would ... eyes in sleep at night
lest they should awake in that ... is laid up for me the crown of righteousness.". ...
/.../letter ix religious culture and.htm

Man.
... man that cannot see, and a wicked man that ... see this righteousness by: it is a
righteousness of Christ's ... Methinks it should; yea, thou couldest not do otherwise ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/iv man.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... We should have lost all this, had it not been ... a description of the great troubles
which the wicked bring upon ... I will behold thy face in righteousness, I shall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

Letter vii. --For 335. Easter-Day iv Pharmuthi, iii Kal. April; xx ...
... came down from heaven, that a man should eat thereof ... 6. Now wicked men hunger for
bread like this, for ... saying, I shall behold Thy face in righteousness; I shall ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vii for 335 easter-day iv.htm