Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the righteousness of God is central to the Christian Gospel, serving as a foundational element of the faith. It is through the Gospel that the righteousness of God is revealed, offering salvation to humanity and demonstrating God's perfect justice and mercy.
Definition and NatureThe righteousness of God refers to His inherent moral perfection and justice. It is an attribute of God that signifies His faithfulness to His own nature and His commitment to uphold what is right and just. In the context of the Gospel, the righteousness of God is not only a characteristic of His divine nature but also a gift imparted to believers through faith in Jesus Christ.
Biblical FoundationThe Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, articulates the revelation of God's righteousness in the Gospel.
Romans 1:16-17 states, "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 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.'"
This passage underscores the transformative power of the Gospel, which reveals God's righteousness and offers it to humanity through faith. The righteousness of God is not achieved by human effort but is a divine provision made available through the redemptive work of Christ.
Manifestation in ChristThe righteousness of God is most fully exhibited in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Christ embodies the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 declares, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God."
This exchange, often referred to as the "Great Exchange," highlights the substitutionary atonement of Christ, where He takes upon Himself the sins of humanity and, in return, imparts His righteousness to those who believe. This divine transaction is the heart of the Gospel message, demonstrating both the justice and mercy of God.
Imputation and JustificationThe righteousness of God is imputed to believers, meaning it is credited to their account through faith in Christ. This imputation is the basis for justification, the act by which God declares a sinner to be righteous on the grounds of Christ's righteousness.
Romans 3:21-22 explains, "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."
Justification is a legal declaration, not based on human merit but solely on the righteousness of Christ. It is a gift of grace, received through faith, ensuring that believers are seen as righteous in the sight of God.
Implications for BelieversThe righteousness of God, as revealed in the Gospel, has profound implications for the life of a believer. It assures them of their standing before God, not based on their own righteousness but on the righteousness of Christ. This assurance leads to a life of gratitude, obedience, and transformation, as believers seek to live in a manner worthy of the Gospel.
Furthermore, the righteousness of God calls believers to reflect His character in their daily lives, pursuing justice, mercy, and humility.
Philippians 1:11 encourages believers to be "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."
In summary, the righteousness of God, as exhibited in the Gospel, is a profound demonstration of His justice and grace, offering salvation and transformation to all who believe in Jesus Christ.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 85:10Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Torrey's Topical TextbookRomans 3:25,26
Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
His Gospel
... of mankind: it had utterly fallen from righteousness and exposed ... for they possessed
the oracles of God, in which the divine nature was exhibited in a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iv his gospel.htm
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 1, "After Six Days Jesus ...
... expresses this; "For by the Law is the knowledge of sin; but now the righteousness
of God ... See then in the Church is exhibited to us the Kingdom of God. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxviii on the words.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
The Justification of Man Before God
... to this, that active righteousness of Christ which he exhibited to the law of God
in the ... of the Apostle Paul: "Faith is imputed for righteousness." (Rom.4 ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/ix the justification of man.htm
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 ... to show forth the glory of God, and guard ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sergieff/on the christian life/chapter i life of a.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.
... have not truly learned Christ.2. The Gospel not the ... we dedicate and devote ourselves
to righteousness, we not ... Ever since God exhibited himself to us as a Father ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 the life of.htm
The Heart of the Gospel
... He took our infirmities, but he never exhibited an infirmity which had the least
of blameworthiness ... "That we might be made the righteousness of God in him ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/the heart of the gospel.htm
1 John iii. 10
... This is exhibited in the difference of their bearing towards the Gospel ... it may be
recognized: "He that doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iii 10.htm
The Gentile Christian Theology. Paul and the Gospel of Faith.
... If righteousness came by the law, Christ's death would be ... Lord Jesus Christ, and
the (agape) of God, and the ... mentioned first because in it is exhibited to us ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 71 the gentile christian.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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