Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: we should Pray for Its Continued Manifestation

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The concept of the righteousness of God is central to Christian theology and is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. It refers to the perfect moral nature of God, His justice, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The righteousness of God is not only an attribute of His character but also a gift imparted to believers through faith in Jesus Christ. As such, Christians are encouraged to pray for the continued manifestation of God's righteousness in the world.

Biblical Foundation

The righteousness of God is first and foremost a reflection of His holy nature. In Psalm 11:7, the psalmist declares, "For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face." This verse underscores the intrinsic righteousness of God and His love for justice, which is a natural outflow of His character.

In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is revealed through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:17 states, "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" Here, the apostle Paul emphasizes that God's righteousness is made known through faith, highlighting the transformative power of the gospel.

Imparted Righteousness

Through faith in Christ, believers are justified and receive the righteousness of God. This is a foundational doctrine of Christianity, often referred to as "imputed righteousness." In 2 Corinthians 5:21, Paul writes, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This exchange—Christ taking on our sin and believers receiving His righteousness—is central to the Christian understanding of salvation.

Praying for Manifestation

Believers are called to pray for the continued manifestation of God's righteousness in their lives and in the world. This involves seeking God's guidance to live righteously and to promote justice and truth in society. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). This petition includes a desire for God's righteous rule to be evident in the world.

The apostle Paul, in his letters, often prays for the spiritual growth and righteousness of the believers. In Philippians 1:9-11, he writes, "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." This prayer reflects a desire for believers to grow in righteousness and to bear fruit that glorifies God.

Living Out Righteousness

Christians are called to live out the righteousness of God in their daily lives. This involves a commitment to holiness, justice, and love. 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 self is a reflection of God's righteousness and is characterized by a life that seeks to honor Him.

Furthermore, believers are encouraged to be agents of righteousness in the world. In Matthew 5:6, Jesus says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This beatitude highlights the importance of desiring and pursuing righteousness, both personally and in the broader context of society.

Conclusion

The righteousness of God is a profound and multifaceted concept that encompasses His character, His actions, and His gift to believers. As Christians, praying for the continued manifestation of God's righteousness is an essential aspect of faith, reflecting a desire for His justice, holiness, and truth to be evident in the world. Through prayer, believers align themselves with God's purposes and seek to live out His righteousness in their lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 36:10
O continue your loving kindness to them that know you; and your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

1 John i. 9, 10
... Hence, in this view, the divine righteousness stands in close ... Secondly, since God
in sending to us Jesus as the ... from sin, has thereby declared that we are ever ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john i 9 10.htm

"The Sun of Righteousness"
... if thou art unrighteous come and take his righteousness. ... If thou canst not pray accept
him as thine ... often afraid lest in serving God, we should grow dispirited ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sun of righteousness.htm

God's Banished Ones
... the majesty of law, it deepens the gulf between righteousness and sin ... In Him, and
in Him alone, can God restore His ... In Him, and in Him alone, can we find, not a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gods banished ones.htm

The Immutability of God
... cannot sever that affection; since their righteousness did not ... But we should have
been consumed by the devil, and by ... in a hundred other ways, if God had ever ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the immutability of god.htm

P??dobaptism. Its Accordance with the Institution of Christ, and ...
... acts, so here also, enough of wisdom and righteousness shines forth ... bring them up
in the fear of God, and the observance of his law, when we reflect, that ...
/.../chapter 16 paedobaptism its accordance.htm

Christians, Temples of the Living God
... How holily and how purely should we live ... place, "For what fellowship hath righteousness
and unrighteousness ... who are temples of the living God, suffer themselves ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christians temples of the living.htm

Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome.
... Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all ... their own things rather
than the things of God. ... We should endeavour rather to draw them to us by ...
/.../neander/light in the dark places/gregory the great bishop of.htm

Faith and Life
... them that have obtained like precious faith with us, through the righteousness of
God ... We have nothing to boast of; God forbid that we should glory, save ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/faith and life.htm

Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Gospel Transcends Law.
... We ought joyfully to thank God for it when we learn how it ... of condemnation hath glory,
much rather doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.". ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twelfth sunday after trinity gospel.htm

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... God cannot yield in this conflict; his righteousness forbids this ... And it will be
well if we are so quickened by ... You will have to meet God speedily in your death ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm