Topical Bible: The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Righteousness

Bible > Topical > The Gifts of God

◄ The Gifts of God: Spiritual: Righteousness ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Nature

Righteousness, as a spiritual gift from God, is the state of being morally right or justifiable in the sight of God. It is not merely a human achievement but a divine endowment, granted through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is imputed to believers, meaning it is credited to their account, not because of their own works, but because of the redemptive work of Christ.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of righteousness as a gift from God is deeply rooted in Scripture. In Romans 3:22, the Apostle Paul writes, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction." This passage underscores that righteousness is accessible to all who have faith, irrespective of their background or previous life.

Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul elaborates on the divine exchange that occurs through Christ: "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Here, the sinless Christ takes on the sin of humanity, allowing believers to be clothed in His righteousness.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the conduit through which righteousness is received. Romans 4:3 cites the example of Abraham: "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." This demonstrates that righteousness is not earned by adherence to the law but is granted through faith in God's promises.

Transformation and Sanctification

Receiving the gift of righteousness initiates a transformative process in the believer's life. This transformation is part of sanctification, the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit to make believers more like Christ. Philippians 1:11 speaks of being "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." This fruit is evident in a life that increasingly reflects God's character and holiness.

Righteousness and the Law

While the law reveals the standard of God's righteousness, it is through Christ that believers are justified. Romans 10:4 states, "Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes." This indicates that Christ fulfills the law's demands, and through Him, believers are declared righteous.

Practical Implications

The gift of righteousness has profound implications for the believer's life. It assures them of their standing before God, providing peace and confidence in their relationship with Him. Romans 5:1 affirms, "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Moreover, this righteousness compels believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling. Ephesians 4:24 encourages believers to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This new self is characterized by a life that seeks to honor God and serve others.

Eternal Perspective

The gift of righteousness also has an eternal dimension. It is the basis for the believer's hope of eternal life. In Titus 3:7, Paul writes, "so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life." This assurance of eternal life is rooted in the righteousness that comes from God, securing the believer's future in His presence.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 5:16,17
And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offenses to justification.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit which we Receive Prepare us for ...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter VIII."The gifts of the Holy ... the Spirit of God, makes
up the spiritual man. ... do not meditate on the words of God, neither are ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter viii the gifts of the.htm

On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts.
... those who have not received them; such gifts, we mean ... Christ, [3563] that has not
received some spiritual gift: for ... that, by the good pleasure of God, His only ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the diversity of.htm

Who Teach: that the Spiritual Gifts or the Good Qualities and ...
... Who teach: That the spiritual gifts or the good ... and virtues, such as goodness, holiness,
righteousness, could not ... the description of the image of God which the ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/paragraph 2 who teach that 3.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness," &C.
... of God is taken for the state of grace, a new principle of spiritual life, that ... must
come from above by Jesus Christ Grace and glory are the gifts of God. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv but seek ye.htm

The Impossibility of Renewal.
... The Apostle brings together various phases of our spiritual intelligence, the gift
of ... If these high gifts are used to scoff at the Son of God, and that ...
/.../chapter v the impossibility of.htm

Gifts to the Prodigal
... the prodigal is meant to be translated into the terms of spiritual experience ... I desire
to look at them as suggesting for us the gifts of God which accompany ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/gifts to the prodigal.htm

Rejection of Errors
... to the description of the image of God which the ... he declares that it consists in
righteousness and holiness ... That in spiritual death the spiritual gifts are not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors 3.htm

The Disciple, -- Sometimes this Question is Asked, "Since God is ...
... their Creator; but on the other hand, His gifts of gold ... For this very purpose God
created the world that men ... and will help the growth of the spiritual life; but ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 3.htm

Tenth Sunday after Trinity Spiritual Counsel for Church Officers.
... who appoints all offices, and the Spirit who confers all gifts, be true God. No
creature is able to impart spiritual offices and gifts; that is impossible ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/tenth sunday after trinity spiritual.htm

The Unknown Giver and the Misused Gifts
... What spiritual life can you get for yourselves without God? ... because of their deeds
of darkness, hate the light, and refuse to acknowledge the gifts of God. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the unknown giver and the.htm