Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: we should Pray: To be Led In

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The concept of the righteousness of God is central to Christian theology and is deeply rooted in the Scriptures. It refers to the perfect moral nature of God, His justice, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. For believers, the righteousness of God is not only a divine attribute to be revered but also a guiding principle to be sought in their daily lives. The Bible encourages believers to pray for guidance in living according to God's righteousness, recognizing that human efforts alone are insufficient to achieve this divine standard.

Biblical Foundation

The righteousness of God is revealed throughout the Bible, emphasizing His holiness and justice. In the Old Testament, the psalmist declares, "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds" (Psalm 145:17). This righteousness is not only a characteristic of God but also a standard for His people. The prophet Isaiah calls the people to seek the Lord and His righteousness: "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near" (Isaiah 55:6).

In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is further revealed through Jesus Christ. 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" (Romans 3:21). Through faith in Christ, believers are justified and made righteous before God, as Paul explains, "This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Romans 3:22).

Praying to be Led in Righteousness

Prayer is a vital practice for believers seeking to be led in the righteousness of God. It is through prayer that Christians express their dependence on God and their desire to align their lives with His will. The psalmist exemplifies this attitude, praying, "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me" (Psalm 5:8). This prayer acknowledges the need for divine guidance in navigating the challenges and temptations of life.

Jesus Himself taught His disciples to pray for righteousness in the Lord's Prayer, saying, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This petition reflects a longing for God's righteous rule to be established in the believer's life and in the world.

Dependence on the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in leading believers in the righteousness of God. Jesus promised the Spirit as a guide and helper, saying, "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth" (John 16:13). Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Christians are empowered to live righteously and to bear the fruit of the Spirit, which includes "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

Conclusion

While human efforts are insufficient to achieve the righteousness of God, prayer is a means by which believers seek divine guidance and empowerment. By praying to be led in righteousness, Christians express their dependence on God and their desire to live according to His perfect will. Through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, believers are enabled to pursue the righteousness of God in their daily lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 5:8
Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before my face.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Chapter ix.
... dignity, and as it were of His righteousness, that God ... to be despaired of by the
faithful servants of God. And it is this, that we should with the most wary ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter ix 2.htm

The Children of God are Led by the Spirit of God.
... from evil and do good, if it is not we that do ... God, they are led by the Spirit of
God [3251] to ... is, with the love and the delight of righteousness"they may ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 4the children of god.htm

Chapter xi.
... blessed who hunger and thirst after righteousness, inasmuch as ... blessed, inasmuch
as they shall see God; let us ... to be led into temptation, lest we should have a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xi 2.htm

Psalm IV.
... that it be not condemned and tormented in God's judgment; or, to arousing, that
we should awake to ... 7. "Offer the sacrifice of righteousness, and hope in the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm iv.htm

The Handwriting Blotted Out
... Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. We are
righteous in God's sight because the righteousness of God which ...
/.../moody/weighed and wanting/the handwriting blotted out.htm

The Sermon on the Mount.
... where the disciple is told that his righteousness must exceed ... God does not tempt
us (James 1:13), but he ... it is essential: we should realize that as we pray. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlii the sermon on the 5.htm

Walking with God
... for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, and every ... communion with my
god, than I should or could ... Blessed be God, we have not so learned Christ. ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/walking with god.htm

Barriers Broken Down
... Pray God it may not end in a shower of tears ... It may happen that we have induced our
hearers to give ... in Christ, and justification by his blood and righteousness. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/barriers broken down.htm

Jehovah Tsidkenu: the Lord Our Righteousness
... tongue say, "Yes, he is the Lord my righteousness this very ... It would be a wonder
if God should vow that the devils ... Left to ourselves, where should we have been ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/jehovah tsidkenu the lord our.htm

The Story of God's Mighty Acts
... the word of God in truth and righteousness; the people ... which the reading of the history
of God's mighty works ... Have we nothing to sing about to-day?"then let ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the story of gods mighty.htm