Topical Bible: God is Declared to Be: Righteous

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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 nature and is consistently revealed in His actions and decrees. The concept of divine righteousness is foundational to understanding God's relationship with humanity and His expectations for human conduct.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God's righteousness is often associated with His covenantal faithfulness and His role as the just judge of all the earth. The Hebrew word for righteousness, "tsedeq," conveys the idea of justice, rightness, and ethical conduct. God's righteousness is demonstrated in His dealings with Israel and the nations.

Psalm 11:7 declares, "For the LORD is righteous; He loves justice. The upright will see His face." This verse highlights God's love for justice and His righteous nature, which ensures that He acts in accordance with His moral standards.

In Deuteronomy 32:4 , Moses proclaims, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." Here, God's righteousness is linked to His perfect and just actions, emphasizing His unwavering faithfulness and moral integrity.

Prophetic Insights

The prophets frequently emphasize God's righteousness, particularly in the context of His judgment and salvation. Isaiah 45:21 states, "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." This passage underscores God's unique position as the only righteous deity, who alone can save.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 speaks of the coming Messiah, "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and He will reign wisely as king and will administer justice and righteousness in the land. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is His name by which He will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness." This prophecy points to the future establishment of God's righteousness through the reign of the Messiah.

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is further revealed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "dikaiosyne" is used to describe God's righteousness, which is manifested in His redemptive plan for humanity.

Romans 1:17 declares, "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 explains that God's righteousness is revealed in the gospel, offering salvation to all who believe.

2 Corinthians 5:21 states, "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 highlights the transformative aspect of God's righteousness, which is imparted to believers through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection.

God's Righteousness in Believers' Lives

Believers are called to reflect God's righteousness in their own lives. Ephesians 4:24 encourages Christians to "put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This call to righteousness is a response to the transformative work of God in the believer's life, enabling them to live in accordance with His righteous standards.

1 John 3:7 exhorts, "Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous." This verse emphasizes the importance of righteous living as evidence of one's relationship with the righteous God.

Throughout Scripture, God's righteousness is a testament to His perfect nature and His commitment to justice and truth. His righteous character serves as both a standard and a source of hope for believers, who are called to emulate His righteousness in their daily lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 9:15
O LORD God of Israel, you are righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before you in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before you because of this.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 145:17
The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Justification from Eternity
... declared us guilty. And in the same manner God does not wait to see whether a sinner
shows signs of conversion in order to restore him to honor as a righteous ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxii justification from eternity.htm

Certainty of Our Justification.
... This justifying act is the creative act of God, in which ... He alone is declared just
who, being ungodly in ... by this declaration is and becomes righteous in Christ ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxiii certainty of our justification.htm

The Old Prophets and Righteous Men Knew Beforehand of the Advent ...
... to His disciples, "Many prophets and righteous men have ... pointing out that what had
been declared by David concerning the Son of God, was accomplished in ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xi the old prophets and.htm

Hidden and Revealed
... It impels God to be man's saviour. ... strength,' and therefore, 'In the Lord shall all
the seed of Israel be justified (declared and made righteous) and shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/hidden and revealed.htm

The Desire of a Lover after God is Shown: and the Cursed Love of ...
... AND THE CURSED LOVE OF THIS WORLD IS DECLARED BY MANY ... God truly shows Himself wilfully
to ilk man as He will ... He shall appear pleased to the righteous, and wroth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter viii the desire of.htm

Unless the Scriptures be Understood through God's Great Grace, God ...
... previously. For Abraham was declared by God to be righteous, not on account
of circumcision, but on account of faith. For before ...
/.../chapter xcii unless the scriptures be.htm

Koph.
... law." The nearer they drew to the persecuting the righteous, so much ... ver.152)...What
are these testimonies, save those wherein God hath declared that He ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/koph.htm

On the Justification of Man Before God
... moral law without transgression, and being placed before the tribunal of the severe
justice of God, is accounted and declared by God to be righteous and worthy ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 19 on the justification.htm

The Marcionite Interpretation of God and Mammon Refuted the ...
... not in the Creator; for even Marcion allows Him to be righteous: "And if ye ... your
hearts," [4792] he magnified the power of that God who declared Himself to ...
/.../chapter xxxiii the marcionite interpretation of.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... Living, and not be written with the righteous," (Psalm 69:28 ... and that my name might
be declared throughout all ... reprobate to obey the word of God when manifested ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm