Topical Encyclopedia The concept of God's righteousness is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His perfect moral nature and His just governance of the universe. God's righteousness is not only an attribute of His character but also a standard by which He judges humanity. The evidence of God's righteousness is woven throughout the biblical narrative, revealing His faithfulness, justice, and holiness.Old Testament Foundations In the Old Testament, God's righteousness is often associated with His covenantal faithfulness and His actions in history. The Hebrew word for righteousness, "tsedeq," conveys the idea of conformity to a standard, which in the biblical context is God's own nature and law. In Genesis 18:25, Abraham appeals to God's righteousness when he says, "Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" . Here, Abraham acknowledges God's inherent justice and righteousness in His dealings with humanity. The Psalms frequently celebrate God's righteousness as a source of comfort and hope for the faithful. Psalm 11:7 declares, "For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face" . This verse highlights the connection between God's righteousness and His love for justice, assuring believers that God will ultimately vindicate the righteous. Prophetic Witness The prophets also emphasize God's righteousness, particularly in the context of His judgment and salvation. Isaiah 45:21-22 proclaims, "Declare and present your case; let them take counsel together. Who foretold this long ago? Who declared it from the distant past? Was it not I, the LORD? And there is no God apart from Me, a righteous God and Savior; there is none but Me. Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other" . Here, God's righteousness is linked to His role as the only true God and Savior, inviting all nations to recognize His sovereignty and seek His salvation. New Testament Revelation In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is revealed most fully in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek word for righteousness, "dikaiosyne," encompasses both the legal and moral dimensions of God's character. 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'" . This verse underscores the transformative power of God's righteousness, which is made accessible to humanity through faith in Christ. The apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in Romans 3:21-22: "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" . Here, God's righteousness is portrayed as a gift, imputed to believers through faith, thus fulfilling the requirements of the law and providing a means of justification. Practical Implications The evidence of God's righteousness has profound implications for believers. It calls for a response of faith, obedience, and trust in God's promises. Believers are encouraged to reflect God's righteousness in their own lives, as seen in 1 John 3:7: "Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous" . This verse emphasizes the transformative effect of God's righteousness, urging believers to live in a manner consistent with their new identity in Christ. In summary, the evidence of God's righteousness is a testament to His unchanging nature and His commitment to justice and salvation. It is a source of hope and assurance for believers, inviting them to participate in His righteous purposes and to reflect His character in a world in need of His truth and grace. Subtopics God for Other Anthropomorphic Scriptures by Israel God for Other Anthropomorphic Scriptures: Saul God in the Banishment of John to Patmos God in Turning the Heart of the King of Assyria to Favor the Jews God is Declared to Be: A Consuming Fire God is Declared to Be: Compassionate God is Declared to Be: Eternal God is Declared to Be: Faithful God is Declared to Be: Glorious God is Declared to Be: Gracious God is Declared to Be: Immortal God is Declared to Be: Immutable God is Declared to Be: Incorruptible God is Declared to Be: Invisible God is Declared to Be: Jealous God is Declared to Be: Long-Suffering God is Declared to Be: Merciful God is Declared to Be: Most High God is Declared to Be: Omnipotent God is Declared to Be: Omnipresent God is Declared to Be: Omniscient God is Declared to Be: Only-Wise God is Declared to Be: Perfect God is Declared to Be: Righteous God is Declared to Be: Unsearchable God is Declared to Be: Upright God Loving all of his Children God: Appearances of To Abraham God: Appearances of To Ezekiel God: Appearances of To Jacob, at Beth-El God: Appearances of To Moses and Joshua God: Appearances of To Moses, at Sinai God: Appearances of To Moses, in the Flaming Bush God: Appearances of To Solomon God: Delaying and Destroying Pharaoh God: Delivering the Israelites God: Feeding Elijah and the Widow God: Fighting the Battles of Israel God: Preserver in Delivering from the Oppressions of the King of Syria God: Preserver in Exempting the Land of Goshen from the Plague of Darkness God: Preserver in Exempting the Land of Goshen from the Plague of Flies God: Preserver in Giving Peace With Other Nations God: Preserver in Preserving Their Cattle from the Plague of Murrain, God: Preserver in Saving the Firstborn, when the Plague of Death Destroyed the Firstborn of Egypt, God: Preserver in the Wilderness God: Preserver: As he Journeyed in the Land of Canaan God: Preserver: Daniel and the Three Hebrew Captives God: Preserver: Deliverance from Egypt, God: Preserver: Delivering Israel by Jeroboam Ii God: Preserver: Delivering the Kingdom of Israel from Syria God: Preserver: Delivering Them from the Army of the Assyrians God: Preserver: Jeremah and Baruch God: Preserver: Jesus and his Parents God: Preserver: On Account of Samuel's Intercession God: Preserver: Paul and Silas God: Preserver: The Ethiopian Host God: Preserver: The Wise Men of the East God: Preserver: To Abraham and Sarah, in Egypt God: Preserver: To Hagar, when Abraham Cast Her Out God: Preserver: To Jacob, when he Fled from Laban, his Father-In-Law God: Preserver: To Joseph, in Egypt God: Preserver: To Lot, when Sodom Was Destroyed God: Preserver: To Moses, in his Infancy God: Preserver: To Noah and his Family, at the Time of the Flood God: Preserver: To the Israelites, in Bringing About Their Deliverance from Bondage God: Preserver: To the Kingdom of Judah: in Delivering from Egypt God: Preserver: Under Jephthah God: Preserver: Victories Over the Canaanites Under Joshua God: Preserver: when he Met Esau God: Protecting Abraham, Sarah, and Abimelech God: Protection of Homes While at Feasts God: Providence of, Mysterious and Misinterpreted God: Providence of, Overruling Interpositions of The God: Purifying the Waters of Marah God: Rebuilding the Walls of Jerusalem God: Restoring Manasseh After his Conversion God: should be Worshipped in Spirit and in Truth God: Special Grace: To Abraham God: Special Grace: To Solomon God: Supplying Manna and Quail God: Supplying Water at Meribah God: Symbolized by the Darkness of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle God: Symbolized by the General Structure of the Most Holy Place, See God: Symbolized by the Pillar of Fire God: The Revolt of the Ten Tribes God: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To God: Warning Pharaoh About the Famine God: Warning the Wise Men from the East Sarcasm: God Reproaching Israel Related Terms |