Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: Illustrated

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The concept of the righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His perfect moral nature, justice, and faithfulness. It is both an attribute of God and a gift to humanity through faith. The righteousness of God is illustrated in various ways throughout Scripture, revealing His character and His plan for redemption.

1. The Nature of God's Righteousness

God's righteousness is intrinsic to His nature. It is His moral perfection and justice, which are unchanging and eternal. In Deuteronomy 32:4, Moses declares, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores the flawless and just nature of God's actions and character.

2. Righteousness in the Law

The righteousness of God is also revealed through the Law given to Israel. The Law reflects God's holy standards and His desire for His people to live in a manner that mirrors His righteousness. In Psalm 19:7-9, the psalmist extols the perfection and righteousness of God's commandments: "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."

3. Righteousness in Judgment

God's righteousness is evident in His judgments, which are always just and fair. In Genesis 18:25, Abraham appeals to God's justice, 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 right?" This appeal highlights the expectation that God's judgments are rooted in His righteous nature.

4. Righteousness in Salvation

The righteousness of God is most profoundly illustrated in the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. In Romans 3:21-22, the Apostle Paul writes, "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." Here, God's righteousness is not only a standard but also a gift, imputed to believers through faith in Christ.

5. Righteousness in Christ

Jesus Christ embodies the righteousness of God. He lived a sinless life, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the Law on behalf of humanity. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul explains, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." Through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, believers are justified and made righteous before God.

6. Righteousness in the Life of Believers

The righteousness of God is also illustrated in the transformed lives of believers. Those who have received God's righteousness through faith are called to live righteously. In Ephesians 4:24, Paul exhorts believers to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This new life is a reflection of God's righteousness at work within them.

7. Righteousness in the Kingdom of God

Finally, the righteousness of God is a defining characteristic of His eternal kingdom. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs His followers, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." The pursuit of God's kingdom involves a commitment to His righteous standards and a longing for His righteous rule to be fully realized on earth.

The righteousness of God, as illustrated in Scripture, is a multifaceted concept that reveals His perfect nature, His just dealings with humanity, and His gracious provision of salvation through Jesus Christ. It calls believers to live in a manner that reflects His righteousness, anticipating the ultimate fulfillment of His righteous kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 36:6
Your righteousness is like the great mountains; your judgments are a great deep: O LORD, you preserve man and beast.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Justification by Faith --Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness
... Justification by Faith"Illustrated by Abram's Righteousness. ... in any respect whatsoever
minister to your acceptance or to your righteousness before God. ...
/.../justification by faithillustrated by abrams.htm

Consecration to God --Illustrated by Abraham's Circumcision
... Abram's faith was counted to him for righteousness, and those ... prize of the high calling
of God in Christ ... THE NATURE OF THIS CONSECRATION as illustrated in this ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/consecration to godillustrated by abrahams.htm

The Knowledge of God and of Ourselves Mutually Connected. --Nature ...
... 3. Effects of the knowledge of God illustrated by the ... begin to raise our thoughts
to God, and reflect ... absolute the perfection of that righteousness, and wisdom ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 the knowledge of.htm

The Force of Sundry Passages of Scripture Illustrated in Relation ...
... The Force of Sundry Passages of Scripture Illustrated in Relation to ... described as
God: "Thy throne, O God, is for ... of Thy kingdom is a sceptre of righteousness. ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xiii the force of sundry.htm

Necessity of Contemplating the Judgment-Seat of God, in Order to ...
... I. A consideration of the righteousness of God overturns the righteousness of works ...
This illustrated by the authority of Scripture and the example of ...
/.../chapter 12 necessity of contemplating.htm

Faith Illustrated
... Faith Illustrated. ... mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is
through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.". ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/faith illustrated.htm

Christ's Different Modes of Reply to those who Questioned his ...
... The Pharisee, trusting in his supposed righteousness, exalts himself above the
notorious ... which a truth relating to the kingdom of God is illustrated by an ...
/.../section 142 christs different modes.htm

The Holy Spirit Convicting the World of Sin, of Righteousness and ...
... How often we have seen this illustrated. ... The righteousness which the world attributes
to Christ is not the righteousness which God attributes to Him, but ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter vii the holy spirit.htm

Detailed Contents
... our Lord's experience in Gethsemane and on the Cross " not refuted but illustrated,
Original attitude ... Romans " the Righteousness of God demonstrated at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/detailed contents.htm

Two Things to be Observed in Gratuitous Justification.
... has been above stated, and is illustrated by clear ... in view, namely, that the glory
of God be maintained ... When the question relates to righteousness, we see how ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 two things to.htm