Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: Saints: Mention, Only

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The concept of the righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His holy nature and moral perfection. In the context of saints, the righteousness of God is often mentioned as a transformative attribute that believers are called to embody and reflect in their lives. This righteousness is not inherent in humans but is imparted through faith in Jesus Christ, enabling believers to live in a manner pleasing to God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the righteousness of God is frequently associated with His covenantal faithfulness and justice. The saints, or the faithful followers of God, are often depicted as those who seek to align themselves with God's righteous standards. For instance, in the Psalms, the righteous are described as those who trust in the Lord and follow His ways: "The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His loving devotion" (Psalm 33:5). Here, the saints are encouraged to emulate God's righteousness through their actions and decisions.

New Testament Revelation

The New Testament further develops the concept of God's righteousness, particularly through the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. The righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel, as Paul writes in Romans: "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith'" (Romans 1:17). This passage highlights the transformative power of God's righteousness, which is accessed through faith in Christ.

Imputed Righteousness

A key aspect of the righteousness of God in relation to the saints is the doctrine of imputed righteousness. This theological concept holds that believers are declared righteous before God not because of their own works, but because of the righteousness of Christ credited to them. Paul emphasizes this in his letter to the Corinthians: "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation is foundational for the believer's standing before God and their ability to live a holy life.

Practical Righteousness

While the righteousness of God is imputed to believers, it also calls for a practical outworking in their lives. The saints are exhorted to pursue righteousness actively, as seen in the epistle to the Ephesians: "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light—for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth" (Ephesians 5:8-9). This passage underscores the expectation that believers, having received God's righteousness, will manifest it through their conduct.

Eschatological Fulfillment

The righteousness of God also has an eschatological dimension, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's righteous reign. The saints are assured of a future where God's righteousness will be fully realized and manifested in the new creation. The book of Revelation speaks to this hope: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. She was given clothing of fine linen, bright and pure." For the fine linen she wears is the righteous acts of the saints" (Revelation 19:7-8). This imagery reflects the culmination of God's redemptive work, where the righteousness of God is perfectly embodied in His people.

In summary, the righteousness of God as it pertains to the saints is a multifaceted concept encompassing imputed righteousness through faith in Christ, the call to live righteously, and the future hope of God's righteous kingdom. Through the transformative power of the gospel, believers are equipped to reflect God's righteousness in their lives, bearing witness to His holy character and redemptive purposes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 71:16
I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of your righteousness, even of your only.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Lord Our Righteousness
... blasphemous to join the intercession of saints with the ... cry our, "My Lord and my
God?" Is Christ your sanctification, as well as your outward righteousness? ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... Then speak a word to saints and sinners ... And while I am speaking to your ears, may
God, for the Lord ... what we are to understand by the word, "righteousness." If I ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm

The Love of God Its Own Reward
... I will make mention only of his righteousness. ... You will have reason to love God,
who has carried you ... through death, and to say with all his saints and martyrs ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon ix the love of.htm

Article I: of God.
... in this world, as David and all the saints have complained. ... among philosophers with
respect to civil righteousness, and not with respect to God's judgment. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 1 article i of.htm

On the Justification of Man Before God
... when they assert, that the works of the Saints cannot stand before the judgment
of God unless they ... we likewise deduce: That if the righteousness by which ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 19 on the justification.htm

On the Wedding Garment
... not the plain meaning this: " It was from the atoning blood that the very righteousness
of the saints derived its value and acceptableness with God? ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 120 on the wedding.htm

God.
... him to be sin for us, and us the righteousness of God in ... It is worth your noting,
that to call God by his relative title was rare among the saints in Old ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/i god.htm

The Boasted Merit of Works Subversive Both of the Glory of God, in ...
... Again, "The saints ascribe nothing to their merits; every ... say, that all who are of
God are regenerated ... the kingdom of sin into the kingdom of righteousness. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 the boasted merit.htm

Chapter xvii.
... for the saints, as I have given order to the saints of Galatia ... and thirst and nakedness
while seeking the kingdom and righteousness of God, although it is ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvii 2.htm

"All Our Righteousnesses are as Filthy Rags, and we all do Fade as ...
... that it may be beautiful in God's eyes, for ... not the created inherent righteousness
of saints glorified, that ... but only in the Lamb's righteousness for evermore. ...
/.../the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvi all our righteousnesses.htm