Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of the righteousness of God is central to Christian theology and is intricately linked to the life and conduct of the saints. The righteousness of God refers to His perfect moral nature, His justice, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. For believers, this righteousness is not only a divine attribute to be revered but also a standard to be emulated and proclaimed.
Biblical FoundationThe righteousness of God is revealed throughout Scripture, and believers are called to live in accordance with this divine standard. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul emphasizes that the righteousness of God is manifested apart from the law and is accessible through faith in Jesus Christ (
Romans 3:21-22). This righteousness is not merely a legal standing but a transformative power that compels believers to live in holiness and truth.
Saints and the Righteousness of GodSaints, or the faithful followers of Christ, are called to reflect God's righteousness in their lives. This reflection is not passive but active, involving both the internal transformation of the heart and the external demonstration of righteous deeds. The righteousness of God, once received by faith, becomes a guiding principle for the believer's conduct.
Do Not ConcealThe call for saints not to conceal the righteousness of God is rooted in the understanding that this righteousness is not a private possession but a public testimony. In
Psalm 40:10, the psalmist declares, "I have not hidden Your righteousness in my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and salvation. I have not concealed Your loving devotion and faithfulness from the great assembly" . This verse underscores the responsibility of believers to openly share and demonstrate God's righteousness.
The act of not concealing God's righteousness involves both proclamation and practice. Believers are to speak of God's righteous acts and character, sharing the message of His salvation and faithfulness with others. This is not limited to verbal testimony but extends to living a life that visibly reflects God's standards. Jesus Himself taught that believers are the light of the world, and their good deeds should shine before others, leading them to glorify the Father in heaven (
Matthew 5:14-16).
Implications for the ChurchThe church, as the collective body of saints, is tasked with the mission of making God's righteousness known in the world. This involves teaching, preaching, and living out the truths of Scripture. The church is to be a beacon of God's righteousness, demonstrating His justice, mercy, and love in a world often marked by unrighteousness.
In summary, the righteousness of God is a divine attribute that believers are called to reflect and proclaim. Saints are not to conceal this righteousness but to declare it boldly through word and deed, fulfilling their role as witnesses to God's transformative power and faithfulness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Psalm 40:10I have not hid your righteousness within my heart; I have declared your faithfulness and your salvation: I have not concealed your loving kindness and your truth from the great congregation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Satan Considering the Saints
... was in him just a sprinkling of self-righteousness. ... have your own confidence sustained,
may God the Holy ... how many saints have been comforted in their distress ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 11 1865/satan considering the saints.htm
On the Conception of Our Lady, Also on Her Birth
... of God, and on His unchangeable righteousness, which lets ... love, and may comprehend
with all saints the height ... things of sense, and realise that God, Who can do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon iii on the conception.htm
God's Glory in Hiding Sin
... thirdly, it ought to be a great stimulus to saints. ... against me as well as against
God." Never harbor ... Do you think that Christ's blood and righteousness are not ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/gods glory in hiding sin.htm
We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which ...
... righteousness in that mercy, and there is mercy in the most part of the acts of
righteousness, as in ... I find the saints and fearers of God commended for ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter iv we shall not.htm
The Master's Profession --The Disciple's Pursuit
... surrendered to Christ, all of them as instruments of righteousness. ... "In works which
perfect saints above,. ... God bless you, dear friends, and make you earnest to ...
/.../the masters professionthe disciples pursuit.htm
Election and Holiness
... you to turn from sin unto righteousness, from your ... and with few exceptions, where
are the saints who denied ... Christian men and women, chosen of God and ordained ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/election and holiness.htm
The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace
... as God is, on the principles of true righteousness; and yet ... Shall I need to persuade
saints that grace is equally free ... Do we tell the sinner that God is not be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the true tabernacle and its.htm
The God of the Aged
... The perfect robe of righteousness that I wear, will that ... the same as the experience
of the saints now; and if ... the constancy of divine love"that God bears and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the god of the aged.htm
On the Formation of the Character of Believers, and on Giving of ...
... world as a place of combat to righteousness, and hast ... and an Enumeration of the Various
Benefits Afforded the Saints by the Providence of God Through Christ ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec ii on the formation of.htm
Washed to Greater Foulness
... fact, but more frequently the saints are peacefully ... with much affection, he confessed
before God""O Lord ... an apron of the linsey-woolsey of self-righteousness. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm
Resources
What is the fruit of righteousness in Philippians 1:11? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)? | GotQuestions.orgRighteousness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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