Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God is Part of his Character

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His moral perfection, justice, and faithfulness. God's righteousness is intrinsic to His character, meaning it is an essential and unchanging aspect of who He is. This righteousness is not merely an abstract quality but is actively demonstrated in His dealings with humanity and creation.

Biblical Foundation

The righteousness of God is affirmed in numerous passages across both the Old and New Testaments. In the Psalms, we find declarations of God's righteous nature: "The LORD is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds" (Psalm 145:17). This verse highlights that God's actions are consistently aligned with His righteous character.

In the prophetic literature, God's righteousness is often linked with His justice and salvation. Isaiah proclaims, "I bring near My righteousness; it is not far off, and My salvation will not delay. I will grant salvation to Zion, My splendor to Israel" (Isaiah 46:13). Here, God's righteousness is portrayed as an active force that brings about deliverance and redemption.

New Testament Revelation

The New Testament further reveals the righteousness of God, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, emphasizes that the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel: "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 underscores that God's righteousness is not only a standard but also a gift imparted to believers through faith in Christ.

Paul continues to expound on this theme, explaining that God's righteousness is demonstrated in His justifying work: "But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, as attested by the Law and the Prophets. And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe" (Romans 3:21-22). Here, the righteousness of God is shown to be both a divine attribute and a means by which believers are made right with God.

Theological Implications

The righteousness of God has profound theological implications. It assures believers of God's unwavering commitment to justice and truth. God's righteous character guarantees that He will always act in accordance with His holy nature, ensuring that His promises are fulfilled and His judgments are fair.

Moreover, the righteousness of God provides the foundation for the believer's moral and ethical conduct. As those who are called to reflect God's character, Christians are urged to pursue righteousness in their own lives. The Apostle Peter exhorts believers, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" (1 Peter 1:15). This call to holiness is rooted in the understanding that God's righteousness is the ultimate standard for human behavior.

Conclusion

The righteousness of God is an integral aspect of His divine character, manifesting in His actions, His salvation plan, and His expectations for His people. It is a source of comfort, assurance, and guidance for believers, who are called to live in accordance with the righteous nature of their Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 7:9
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God tries the hearts and reins.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 116:5
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yes, our God is merciful.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:137
Righteous are you, O LORD, and upright are your judgments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

1343. dikaiosune -- righteousness, justice
... righteousness, justice. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: dikaiosune
Phonetic ... 1343 ("the of God") refers to (after His examination ... righteousness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1343.htm - 7k

1342. dikaios -- correct, righteous, by impl. innocent
... innocent. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dikaios Phonetic ... idea see the
cognate noun, 1343 ("righteousness").]. ... is in conformity to God's own being ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1342.htm - 8k

Library

God's Character Our Resting-Place
... that there might be no mistake as to it on the part of man ... whom Christ reveals as
the God of righteous grace and gracious righteousness, is the God with whom ...
/.../bonar/gods way of peace/chapter iii gods character our.htm

Inconsideration Deplored. Rev. Joshua Priestley.
... A declaration will be made of the righteousness of God ... consent to sacrifice the mental
and moral part of his ... what was due to himself, to society, and to God? ...
/.../inconsideration deplored rev joshua priestley.htm

Upon the Character of Balaam. Preached the Second Sunday after ...
... the righteousness of the Lord; ie, the righteousness which God ... of this, which was
the only honest part in these ... to be contrary to the will of God, which yet he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/butler/human nature/sermon vii upon the character.htm

How to Meet God
... and especially in that way of righteousness and peace ... was spoken of in an earlier
part of this ... based upon the contemplation of God's character as manifested in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/how to meet god.htm

"It is Finished"
... "Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace ... is not an act of arbitrary
power on the part of God ... God gives them existence for a time that they may ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 79 it is finished.htm

The Christian's God
... Spirit, yet to know only this is to leave out a very vital part in our ... From the holiness
in God's character we can understand His righteousness and justice ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ii the christians god.htm

Practical Righteousness
... There is a continual tendency on our part, as there was with these ... law, but that
which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/practical righteousness.htm

Jacob --Israel --Jeshurun
... dictates to us to be and to do"righteousness is the ... to have the joy of fellowship
with God in our ... is mainly emotional, 'Hypocrites!' it is the part of every ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/jacobisraeljeshurun.htm

In Scripture, the True God Opposed, Exclusively, to all the Gods ...
... In every part of Scripture we meet with descriptions ... form, even for eternal destruction:
Righteousness, by which ... furnished with the means of glorying in God. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 in scripture the.htm

Impure Zeal
... it may be argued that it was not part of Jehu's ... the clear revelation of the God of
righteousness; and whilst ... Testament does make known the love of God in many ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/impure zeal.htm