Topical Bible: Righteousness: Christ: Fulfilled All

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Righteousness, in the biblical context, refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable, aligning with God's standards and commands. In the New Testament, the concept of righteousness is intricately linked to the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of all righteousness.

Christ's Fulfillment of Righteousness

The life and ministry of Jesus Christ are central to understanding how righteousness is fulfilled. Jesus Himself declared His purpose in fulfilling the law and the prophets, which encompasses the entirety of God's righteous requirements. In Matthew 5:17 , Jesus states, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them." This fulfillment is not merely a matter of adherence to the law but embodies the perfect expression of God's will and character.

Sinlessness of Christ

A key aspect of Christ's fulfillment of righteousness is His sinlessness. The New Testament affirms that Jesus lived a life without sin, making Him the perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins. Hebrews 4:15 attests to this, saying, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin." This sinlessness is crucial, as it qualifies Christ to be the spotless Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

Imputed Righteousness

Through His death and resurrection, Christ provides a means for believers to attain righteousness. This righteousness is not earned by human effort but is imputed to believers through faith in Christ. The Apostle Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 5:21 : "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 the sin of humanity and imparting His righteousness to believers—is central to the doctrine of justification by faith.

Christ as the Righteous Judge

In addition to fulfilling righteousness through His life and sacrificial death, Christ is also depicted as the righteous judge who will execute justice at the end of the age. Acts 17:31 declares, "For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising Him from the dead." This future judgment underscores the comprehensive nature of Christ's righteousness, which encompasses both His redemptive work and His role in final judgment.

The Role of Faith

The believer's relationship to Christ's righteousness is accessed through faith. Romans 3:22 states, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." Faith is the means by which individuals receive the righteousness of Christ, leading to a transformed life that reflects God's standards.

Living Out Christ's Righteousness

Believers are called to live out the righteousness of Christ in their daily lives. This involves a commitment to holiness and obedience to God's commands, empowered by the Holy Spirit. Philippians 1:11 encourages believers to be "filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." This ongoing process of sanctification is a testament to the transformative power of Christ's righteousness in the life of a believer.

In summary, Christ's fulfillment of all righteousness is a foundational tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing His sinless life, sacrificial death, and the imputation of His righteousness to believers through faith. This fulfillment not only provides the basis for justification but also calls believers to a life of holiness and obedience.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 3:15
And Jesus answering said to him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becomes us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us,"
... comfort is holden out here unto you,"there is no condemnation to you; Jesus Christ
hath condemned sin to save you, he hath fulfilled all righteousness for you ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv that the righteousness.htm

"That the Righteousness of the Law Might be Fulfilled in Us. "
... got such satisfaction in any person, as in Christ's, he hath fulfilled it by obedience.
"It becometh us" saith he "to fulfil all righteousness," (Matthew 3:15 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv that the righteousness.htm

The Righteousness of Christ, an Everlasting Righteousness
... under the law from the curse of it, being made a curse for us." The Lord Jesus Christ
being clothed in human nature, fulfilled all righteousness; he submitted ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the righteousness of christ an.htm

What Think Ye of Christ?
... no hand in it: it is Christ who is ... to us of God the Father, wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification, and ... He has fulfilled all righteousness in our stead, that we ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/what think ye of christ.htm

Christ Our Sanctification.
... 22 of the Confession the following clause: "Jesus Christ imputing to ... done for us
and in our stead, is our Righteousness.". ... But they had not yet fulfilled the law ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vi christ our sanctification.htm

Christ, the Believer's Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and ...
... are made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, who is the end of the law for
righteousness to every ... them; the whole covenant of works is fulfilled in them ...
/.../christ the believers wisdom righteousness.htm

On Christ
... the corruption of our nature lest it should come into the sight of God, 4. Does
the holy life of Christ, in which he fulfilled all righteousness according to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/on christ.htm

The Lord Our Righteousness
... there not a cause?) that for this very end the righteousness of Christ is imputed
to us, that "the righteousness of the law may be fulfilled in us ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 20 the lord our.htm

Christ did not Abrogate the Natural Precepts of the Law, but ...
... Heresies: Book IV Chapter XIII."Christ did not ... law, but that He extended and fulfilled
them, is ... does Himself declare: "Unless your righteousness shall exceed ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiii christ did not abrogate.htm

Proof against the Marcionites, that the Prophets Referred in all ...
... and not sent by the Lord, if Christ on His ... 4342] For by His advent He Himself fulfilled
all things, and ... 4343] without the law, has the righteousness of God ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiv proof against the marcionites.htm