In the biblical context, righteousness is often understood as the state of being morally right or justifiable before God. However, the unregenerate man—one who has not experienced spiritual rebirth or regeneration—often seeks to achieve righteousness through his own efforts and works, rather than through faith in God. This pursuit is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting the futility of human efforts to attain divine approval apart from God's grace.

Old Testament Perspective

The Old Testament provides numerous examples of individuals and groups attempting to establish their own righteousness through works. The prophet Isaiah addresses this issue, stating, "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). This verse underscores the inadequacy of human righteousness when compared to God's perfect standard.

The Israelites, under the Mosaic Law, often fell into the trap of believing that adherence to the law could justify them before God. However, the law was intended to reveal sin and point to the need for a Savior, not to serve as a means of self-justification. As the Apostle Paul later explains, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin" (Romans 3:20).

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the issue of seeking righteousness through works is addressed extensively, particularly in the writings of Paul. The Apostle contrasts the righteousness that comes from the law with the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes, "For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, did not submit to God's righteousness" (Romans 10:3). This verse highlights the tendency of the unregenerate to rely on their own efforts rather than submitting to the righteousness provided by God through faith.

The Pharisees, a religious group during Jesus' time, epitomized this pursuit of self-righteousness. Jesus criticized them for their outward displays of piety, which were not matched by inward transformation. He warned, "For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). This statement emphasizes that true righteousness is not about external compliance but an internal change brought about by faith.

Pauline Theology

Paul's epistles further elaborate on the futility of seeking justification through works. In Galatians, he admonishes the believers, "You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace" (Galatians 5:4). Here, Paul warns against the danger of relying on the law for justification, which ultimately leads one away from the grace found in Christ.

In Philippians, Paul shares his personal testimony, expressing his former confidence in the flesh and his subsequent realization of its worthlessness compared to knowing Christ. He writes, "Not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith" (Philippians 3:9). This passage encapsulates the transformative understanding that righteousness is a gift from God, received through faith, not earned by works.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the theme of unregenerate man seeking justification by works serves as a poignant reminder of the insufficiency of human efforts to achieve righteousness. The biblical narrative consistently points to the necessity of faith in God's provision for righteousness, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ.Luke 18:9
And he spoke this parable to certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Agreement of Salvation by Grace with Walking in Good Works
... helped to run in the ways of righteousness: in a ... become a man: the best-living
unregenerate man cannot thereby ... At first man fell, and marred his Creator's work ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the agreement of salvation by.htm

"Who Walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit. "
... put the creature to motion, though a man may by ... Christ, by believing in him for
righteousness and salvation ... may be such a walking of carnal unregenerate men, as ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vi who walk not.htm

Hints to Teachers and Questions for Pupils
... of conscience; their discovery of the righteousness of God. ... Does Paul regard the
unregenerate man as possessing the ... Paul; Speer, The Man Paul; Hausrath, 45-57 ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/hints to teachers and questions.htm

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ...
... which is of the law, That the man which doeth ... than that which is called the
righteousness of faith; that being such, as for justification, and deliverance ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a defence of the doctrine.htm

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
... be merely moral, how does your righteousness exceed that ... higher than the best of
the unregenerate can understand ... is written, "Without holiness no man shall see ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/our lords prayer for his.htm

A Present Religion
... has sprung up in the minds of the unregenerate world a ... If any man could prove the
religion of Christ to ... first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a present religion.htm

The New-Birth
... that is the very essence of every fallen, unregenerate soul; yet ... Word, or Son of
God made man, that can ... that he is our justification, or righteousness; that in ...
/.../law/the grounds and reasons of christian regeneration/the new-birth.htm

Augustin's Part in the Controversy.
... in which sinning should cease, while this seeks a man ... the wine into the wounds of
the man left half ... shall find no sin, and receive the crown of righteousness. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/iii augustins part in the.htm

The Christian's Peace and the Christian's Consistency
... do not recognize (gnorizo, as one who seeks to be ... in God if we would be fully
serviceable to man. ... hard and most unchildlike conditions of an unregenerate world ...
/.../moule/philippian studies/chapter iv the christians peace.htm

Christ a Complete Saviour:
... the works of the law for justification; to question ... graces.]"Again; the justified
man is imperfect ... Justifying righteousness is accompanied with graces"the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/christ a complete saviour .htm

What does it mean to pursue righteousness? | GotQuestions.org

What are the weapons of righteousness in 2 Corinthians 6:7? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about self-righteousness? | GotQuestions.org

Righteousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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