Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His perfect nature, justice, and moral purity. The abundance of God's righteousness is a testament to His infinite and unchanging character, which is consistently portrayed in both the Old and New Testaments.
Old Testament FoundationsIn the Old Testament, the righteousness of God is often associated with His covenantal faithfulness and His role as the ultimate judge.
Psalm 36:6 declares, "Your righteousness is like the highest mountains; Your judgments are like the deepest sea." This imagery emphasizes the vastness and unsearchable depth of God's righteousness, suggesting that it is beyond human comprehension and measure.
The prophet Isaiah frequently speaks of God's righteousness in terms of salvation and deliverance.
Isaiah 51:6 states, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die like gnats. But My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail." Here, God's righteousness is portrayed as eternal and unfailing, providing a foundation for His enduring salvation.
New Testament RevelationIn the New Testament, the righteousness of God is revealed more fully through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, expounds on the righteousness of God as being made available to humanity through faith in Christ.
Romans 1:17 declares, "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
Paul further elaborates in
Romans 3:21-22 , "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." This passage underscores the abundance of God's righteousness as it is freely given to all who place their faith in Christ, transcending the limitations of the law.
The Abundance of God's Righteousness in Believers' LivesThe abundance of God's righteousness is not only a theological concept but also a transformative reality in the lives of believers. Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Christians are called to reflect God's righteousness in their conduct and character.
Ephesians 4:24 exhorts believers to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
Moreover, the abundance of God's righteousness assures believers of their standing before God.
Philippians 3:9 expresses this confidence: "And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God on the basis of faith." This righteousness, imputed to believers, is a gift that secures their relationship with God and empowers them to live in accordance with His will.
Eschatological FulfillmentThe abundance of God's righteousness will ultimately be manifested in the eschatological fulfillment of His kingdom. In the book of Revelation, the final victory of God's righteousness is depicted as the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Revelation 19:11 describes Christ as the righteous judge: "Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war."
The abundant righteousness of God, therefore, is not only a present reality but also a future hope, assuring believers of the ultimate triumph of God's justice and the restoration of all things under His righteous rule.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 48:10According to your name, O God, so is your praise to the ends of the earth: your right hand is full of righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Those Persons Prove Themselves Senseless who Exaggerate the Mercy ...
... judgment, and look only at the more abundant grace of ... to show that there is another
God beyond Him ... as in both Testaments there is the same righteousness of God ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxviii those persons prove themselves.htm
Against those who Fancy that in the Judgment of God all the ...
... seek to establish their own righteousness by the law, the righteousness of God ... they
hope in themselves, not in Him; and therefore God's abundant sweetness is ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 against those who fancy.htm
The Grace of God was Necessary to Man's Salvation Before the Fall ...
... to destroy himself; but to have maintained a life of righteousness would have ... After
the fall, however, a more abundant exercise of God's mercy was ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 106 the grace of god.htm
To Recover the Righteousness which had Been Lost by Sin, Man Has ...
... Sin, Man Has to Struggle, with Abundant Labour and ... man refused to maintain his
righteousness amidst the delights of Paradise, wherefore God determined that ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 55 to recover the righteousness.htm
Righteousness the Way to the Kingdom.
... place, what is the righteousness of God; so that, like persons going to set out
on a journey, we may be filled with good works as with abundant provision, so ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxi righteousness the way to.htm
Of the Law and a Christian
... was with a proclamation of his name to be merciful, gracious, long- suffering, and
abundant in goodness ... This is called the righteousness of God without the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/miscellaneous pieces/of the law and a.htm
"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God," &C.
... For he loves righteousness, and hates iniquity, Psal. ... holiness it is impossible to
see God's face in ... unto you, that it ministers an abundant entrance "into the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi but seek ye.htm
'The Breastplate of Righteousness'
... has the one formative principle of reliance on God, which will ... The breastplate of
righteousness is our defence against evil. ... Untilled fields bear abundant weeds ...
/.../the breastplate of righteousness.htm
Concerning "Power," "Righteousness," "Salvation," "Redemption" ...
... capacity to exist, and their existence through the rich outpouring of His transcendent
and abundant Power. 7. Again, God is called "Righteousness" because He ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter viii concerning power righteousness.htm
God's Love to Fallen Man
... is of God made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification ... Yet again: There
will be an abundant reward in ... as for doing the will of God: "These light ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 59 gods love to.htm
Resources
What does it mean to pursue righteousness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the weapons of righteousness in 2 Corinthians 6:7? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-righteousness? | GotQuestions.orgRighteousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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