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

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The righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His perfect moral nature and His just dealings with humanity. This attribute of God is not only intrinsic to His character but is also manifested in His actions and decrees. The righteousness of God is foundational to understanding His interactions with creation, His covenantal promises, and His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

1. The Nature of God's Righteousness

God's righteousness is an essential aspect of His holiness, signifying His absolute purity and moral perfection. In Deuteronomy 32:4, Moses declares, "He is the Rock; His work is perfect, for all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores that God's righteousness is inherent and unchanging, forming the basis of His trustworthy and just nature.

2. Righteousness in God's Law

The righteousness of God is revealed through His law, which reflects His moral standards. Psalm 19:7-9 states, "The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes." God's law serves as a guide for righteous living, demonstrating His desire for His people to reflect His character.

3. Righteousness in God's Judgments

God's righteousness is evident in His judgments, which are always just and fair. In Psalm 9:7-8, it is written, "But the LORD abides forever; He has established His throne for judgment. He judges the world with justice; He governs the people with equity." God's judgments are based on His righteous standards, ensuring that justice is upheld and that evil is ultimately addressed.

4. Righteousness in God's Covenant Faithfulness

God's righteousness is also displayed in His faithfulness to His covenants. In Nehemiah 9:8, the Levites praise God for keeping His promise to Abraham: "You found his heart faithful before You, and You made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites... You have kept Your promise because You are righteous." God's covenantal faithfulness is a testament to His unwavering righteousness and commitment to His word.

5. Righteousness in Redemption through Christ

The ultimate exhibition of God's righteousness is found in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-22 proclaims, "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 Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, God's righteousness is both satisfied and imparted to believers, allowing them to be justified before Him.

6. Righteousness in God's Providential Care

God's righteousness is also evident in His providential care for His creation. In Psalm 145:17, it is affirmed, "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds." God's righteous governance ensures that His creation is sustained and that His purposes are fulfilled, reflecting His benevolent and just nature.

7. Righteousness in the Lives of Believers

Believers are called to reflect God's righteousness in their own lives. In Ephesians 4:24, Paul exhorts, "And to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live righteously, bearing witness to God's character in a fallen world.

The righteousness of God, as exhibited in His ways, is a profound testament to His perfect nature and His just dealings with humanity. It is a source of hope and assurance for believers, who are called to trust in His righteous character and to emulate His ways in their own lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 145:17
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

In Scripture, the True God Opposed, Exclusively, to all the Gods ...
... other respects, is not obscurely exhibited in the ... are loving-kindness, Judgment,
and righteousness, his holiness also ... Moreover, the knowledge of God, which is ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 in scripture the.htm

(As to Whether a Priest May Minister after a Lapse. )
... the holy Church, that if they have fallen, and thereafter have exhibited a right ...
from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/vi as to whether a.htm

The Life of a Christian Man. Scriptural Arguments Exhorting to It.
... unless we dedicate and devote ourselves to righteousness, we not ... Ever since God
exhibited himself to us as a Father ... do not in turn exhibit ourselves as his sons ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 the life of.htm

Psalm XXV.
... Whereof He hath exhibited the one in forgiving sins, the ... the two advents of the Son
of God, the one ... whereby I never, in the boast of righteousness, break off ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxv.htm

Of the Priesthood of Jesus Foretold by the Prophets.
... from foolishness to wisdom, and from wickedness to deeds of righteousness. These
are the ways of God, in which He enjoined ... But He exhibited faith towards God. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv of the priesthood of.htm

Expository Treatise against the Jews.
... let them not enter into Thy righteousness," that is ... the contumacy and audacity which
they exhibited toward the ... he calleth himself the Child of God." [1573] And ...
/.../expository treatise against the jews.htm

The Law Given, not to Retain a People for Itself, but to Keep ...
... the posterity of David, Christ was exhibited to the ... but exhortation also, the servant
of God will derive ... the Spirit, they hasten toward righteousness, they are ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 the law given.htm

The Gentile Christian Theology. Paul and the Gospel of Faith.
... The grace of Christ is mentioned first because in it is exhibited to us ... at best very
defective, and cannot stand before God; and the righteousness of Christ ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 71 the gentile christian.htm

Divine Impartiality Considered.
... being, a different object would have been exhibited to view. ... will be so abundantly
manifested, "when God shall judge the world in righteousness," that an ...
/.../sermon vi divine impartiality considered.htm

The Way to God
... thine eyes, when Jesus the sun of righteousness shines on ... penance, in order that
they may so come to God. ... a whole set of pictures that were exhibited upon the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the way to god.htm