The Righteousness of God

The righteousness of God is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting His perfect moral nature, justice, and faithfulness. It is an attribute that signifies God's holiness and His commitment to uphold what is right and just. The righteousness of God is both a standard and a gift, revealing His character and His plan for humanity.

In the Old Testament, God's righteousness is often associated with His covenantal faithfulness and His actions in history. For instance, Psalm 11:7 declares, "For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face." Here, God's righteousness is linked to His love for justice and His relationship with the upright.

The prophet Isaiah frequently speaks of God's righteousness, emphasizing its salvific aspect. Isaiah 46:13 states, "I bring My righteousness near; it is not far away, and My salvation will not be delayed. I will grant salvation to Zion, My splendor to Israel." This passage highlights the connection between God's righteousness and His deliverance of His people.

In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is revealed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:17 proclaims, "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 underscores that God's righteousness is made manifest in the gospel and is accessible through faith.

The righteousness of God is also a gift imparted to believers. 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 verse encapsulates the doctrine of imputed righteousness, where believers are declared righteous through their union with Christ.

Human Unrighteousness

In contrast to the righteousness of God, human unrighteousness is a pervasive theme throughout Scripture, illustrating humanity's fallen nature and moral failure. The Bible consistently portrays human unrighteousness as a deviation from God's perfect standard and a barrier to fellowship with Him.

The book of Genesis introduces the concept of human unrighteousness with the fall of Adam and Eve, whose disobedience brought sin into the world. This original sin set the stage for the pervasive unrighteousness that characterizes human history. Genesis 6:5 describes the extent of human wickedness: "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time."

The apostle Paul provides a comprehensive analysis of human unrighteousness in Romans 3:10-12 , quoting the Psalms: "There is no one righteous, not even one. There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away; they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." This passage underscores the universality of sin and the inability of humans to achieve righteousness on their own.

Human unrighteousness manifests in various forms, including idolatry, immorality, and injustice. The prophets frequently condemned the unrighteousness of Israel, calling the people to repentance and a return to God's ways. For example, Micah 6:8 exhorts, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Despite the prevalence of human unrighteousness, the Bible offers hope through the redemptive work of Christ. Romans 3:22-24 declares, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." This passage highlights the transformative power of God's grace, which overcomes human unrighteousness and restores believers to a right relationship with Him.