Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: Shown to the Posterity of Saints

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The concept of the righteousness of God being extended to the descendants of the faithful is a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures. This divine righteousness is not merely a personal attribute of God but is also a covenantal promise that impacts the generations of those who walk in His ways.

Biblical Foundation

The righteousness of God is often depicted as a protective and guiding force for the descendants of the righteous. In Psalm 103:17-18 , it is written, "But from everlasting to everlasting the loving devotion of the LORD extends to those who fear Him, and His righteousness to their children’s children— to those who keep His covenant and remember to obey His precepts." This passage underscores the enduring nature of God's righteousness, which is not limited to the individual but extends to their progeny, contingent upon their adherence to His covenant.

Covenantal Promises

The Abrahamic covenant is a prime example of God's righteousness being promised to the descendants of a faithful servant. In Genesis 17:7 , God declares, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." This covenantal relationship is marked by God's commitment to be the God of Abraham's descendants, reflecting His righteousness and faithfulness across generations.

The Role of Obedience

The transmission of God's righteousness to the posterity of saints is often linked to obedience and faithfulness. Deuteronomy 7:9 states, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments." Here, the continuity of God's righteousness is associated with the love and obedience of His people, suggesting that the blessings of righteousness are both a gift and a responsibility.

Intergenerational Impact

The impact of God's righteousness on future generations is also evident in the wisdom literature. Proverbs 20:7 notes, "The righteous man walks with integrity; blessed are his children after him." This proverb highlights the moral and spiritual legacy that a righteous individual can impart to their descendants, suggesting that the integrity and faithfulness of one generation can lead to blessings for the next.

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is further revealed through Jesus Christ, offering a new dimension to the understanding of righteousness for the posterity of saints. Romans 4:13 speaks of the promise to Abraham and his offspring, stating, "For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world was not through the law, but through the righteousness that comes by faith." This passage emphasizes that the righteousness of God, accessible through faith in Christ, is available to all who believe, thus extending the promise to spiritual descendants as well.

Conclusion

The righteousness of God, as shown to the posterity of saints, is a profound testament to His faithfulness and covenantal love. It serves as both a promise and a call to live in accordance with His will, ensuring that His righteousness continues to bless and guide future generations.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 103:17
But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on them that fear him, and his righteousness to children's children;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Boasted Merit of Works Subversive Both of the Glory of God, in ...
... merit." A little before he had abundantly shown that he ... us in procuring, but was
himself to be our righteousness. Thus, it is said that God "has chosen us in ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 the boasted merit.htm

God's Love to Fallen Man
... God made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification ... Thy Mind throughout
my life be shown,. ... have had no being; " resignation to God; confidence in ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 59 gods love to.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... Descend, O Son of God, descend; and, as thou hast shown in me such mercy, O let
thy blessed Spirit apply thy righteousness to some young prodigals now ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the lord our righteousness.htm

Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
... God made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification ... mind throughout my
life be shown, While listening ... had no being: resignation to God, confidence in ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/wesley gods love to.htm

In Endeavouring to Prove that Such Intercession Derives Some ...
... some Moses or Samuel, to whose prayers he had shown himself so ... they should deliver
but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God" (Ezek.14 ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 23 in endeavouring to.htm

Confession of the Free-Will Baptists. AD 1834, 1868.
... It has also been shown that Jesus Christ is God, one ... in our stead, to make known
the righteousness of God ... 2. Sanctification is a work of God's grace, by which ...
/.../confession of the free-will baptists.htm

Mormonites, or the Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
... inhabitants of this country, and shown who they ... civilization, laws, governments,
of their righteousness and iniquity ... of Ishmael, rebelled against God, and would ...
/.../hayward/the book of religions/mormonites or the church of.htm

The Resurrection
... his angels.' Matthew 25: He that said to God, Depart from ... innocence; he will bring
forth their righteousness as the ... in secret for sin, that have shown any love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 the resurrection.htm

Psalm XLVII.
... But so in them had no mystery been shown, whereby posterity might be put ... the very
people of the Jews, "being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlvii.htm

Justification.
... and especially his death, were vicarious, has been abundantly shown in treating ... for
us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxxvi justification.htm