Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: Exhibited in His Acts

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The righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His perfect moral nature and His just actions in the world. This righteousness is not merely an abstract attribute but is actively demonstrated through His deeds and interactions with humanity. The Berean Standard Bible provides numerous instances where God's righteousness is vividly portrayed.

Creation and Sustenance of the World

God's righteousness is first exhibited in the act of creation. In Genesis 1, God creates the world and everything in it, declaring it "very good" (Genesis 1:31). This act of creation reflects His righteous nature, as everything He made was in perfect harmony and order, reflecting His moral perfection.

Furthermore, God's ongoing sustenance of the world is an expression of His righteousness. Psalm 145:17 states, "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds." His provision and care for creation demonstrate His commitment to maintaining the order and goodness He established.

Covenantal Faithfulness

God's righteousness is also evident in His covenantal relationships with His people. In Genesis 15:6 , Abraham's faith is credited to him as righteousness, highlighting God's righteous promise to bless and multiply Abraham's descendants. This covenantal faithfulness is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His promises, as seen throughout the history of Israel.

In Deuteronomy 7:9 , it is written, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments." God's righteousness is displayed in His steadfast love and faithfulness to His covenant people, despite their frequent disobedience.

Judgment and Justice

God's righteousness is further manifested in His judgments. His actions in judging sin and upholding justice are consistent with His holy nature. In Genesis 18:25 , Abraham appeals to God's righteousness when interceding for Sodom, saying, "Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?"

The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) and the deliverance of Noah and his family from the flood (Genesis 6-9) are examples of God's righteous judgment and His ability to discern and act justly.

Redemption and Salvation

The ultimate exhibition of God's righteousness is found in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-22 declares, "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."

Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, God's righteousness is revealed as He provides a means for humanity's salvation. This act of grace and mercy upholds His justice while offering forgiveness and reconciliation to sinners.

The Kingdom of God

God's righteousness is also evident in the establishment and governance of His kingdom. Psalm 97:2 states, "Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne's foundation." The righteous rule of God is characterized by justice, peace, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil.

In the prophetic vision of the new heavens and new earth, God's righteousness is fully realized. Revelation 21:3-4 describes a future where God dwells with His people, and "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." This consummation of God's righteous plan reflects His eternal purpose and the fulfillment of His promises.

Conclusion

The righteousness of God, as exhibited in His acts, is a testament to His perfect nature and His unwavering commitment to justice, faithfulness, and love. Through creation, covenant, judgment, redemption, and the establishment of His kingdom, God's righteousness is revealed and celebrated throughout the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 5:11
They that are delivered from the noise of archers in the places of drawing water, there shall they rehearse the righteous acts of the LORD, even the righteous acts toward the inhabitants of his villages in Israel: then shall the people of the LORD go down to the gates.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Samuel 12:7
Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the LORD of all the righteous acts of the LORD, which he did to you and to your fathers.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

His Gospel
... God, in which the divine nature was exhibited in a ... it; but it is doing, not knowing,
which is righteousness. ... they, then, fulfilled the will of God, which they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iv his gospel.htm

A Dialogue with God
... The poison-water is exhibited in many variously coloured and ... the triumphant knowledge
of Christ's righteousness as ours ... truly learned the love of God, and truly ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dialogue with god.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... the posterity of David, Christ was exhibited to the ... passions, and thereby utterly
losing all desire after righteousness. For where the Spirit of God rules not ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

The Reign of David.
... (3) As a refugee from Saul, during which time he exhibited his unwillingness to
do ... (5) Righteousness exalteth a nation. (6) God controls the issues of wars. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xi the reign of.htm

Election
... has elected men to holiness and to righteousness and through ... of any denomination,
who thought that God saved him ... plea, still hangs on grace as exhibited in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/election.htm

Whither is Thy Beloved Gone, O Thou Fairest among Women? Whither ...
... opening is a renewed abandonment; the resistance lately exhibited having interrupted
its ... are caused to look only to the righteousness of God; they recognize ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/17 whither is thy beloved.htm

On the Comparison of the Law and the Gospel
... eternal life was promised through the imputation of the righteousness of faith ... the
fathers in the prophetical scriptures, and whom God has exhibited in the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 13 on the comparison.htm

Acts XVII
... in which he will judge the world in righteousness by a ... He has exhibited the uselessness
of all the splendid temples ... in them, and that he is the God who made ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvii.htm

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ...
... life in which iniquity shall receive its punishment, and righteousness its reward ...
the ungodly in not pondering the deep counsels of God, as exhibited in the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the knowledge of.htm

His Theology and Exegesis.
... for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the ... out of a
heart overflowing to God and man ... last moment of his life he exhibited that calm ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/chapter xiii his theology and exegesis.htm