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2. Righteousness a) Intro (1) Holiness
could be described as an attribute that expresses God’s intrinsic holy
character. (2) While righteousness, though inherent to God’s
character, describes more the outworking of holiness, especially in his
dealing with man (cf. Ps 99:3). b) Definitions (1) Though
related to holiness, righteousness is nevertheless a distinct attribute of
God. Holiness relates to God’s separateness; righteousness, to His
justice…law… [and] morality.
(Ryrie, Basic Theology, pg. 48) (2) [God’s righteousness] signifies not only
God’s inherent righteousness and perfection of nature, but also his method of
treating others; his plan of redemption; his method of saving others. (Clark in loc.) (3) The righteousness of God is that perfection
by which He maintains Himself as the Holy One over against every violation of
His holiness. In virtue of it He maintains a moral government in the world
and imposes a just law on man, rewarding obedience and punishing
disobedience. (Berkhof, Summary of
Christian Doctrine) (4) Righteousness (Heb tsedaqah, Grk. díkaios.)
originally meant, “to be straight.” It was used for a straight measuring rule.
Figuratively, this root connotes conformity to an ethical or moral standard.
Therefore, God’s righteousness is the ethical and moral rule or standard upon
which everything else is based. c) God
is inherently righteous (Psa 119:137; Ps 11:7). (1) God does
not need to learn what is righteous for He is righteous. (2) Being inherently righteous, God Himself
does not struggle with being unrighteous. Rather, every decision or act by
God can only be righteous. d) God’s
righteousness is an eternal constant (Psa 119:142; 36:6; Ps 103:17) (1) God’s
righteousness does not change, causing the standards for the world to change.
Rather, God’s righteousness is established forever and immovable. (2) [God’s]
righteousness is unchanging and endures from age to age. This is the joy and
glory of the saints, that what God is he always will be, and his mode of
procedure towards the sons of men is immutable. (Spurgeon) e) God’s
righteousness is the basis for His ways and actions (Dt 32:4; Ps 103:6;
Ps 145:17; Re 15:4). (1) Since God
is righteous, everything He does will be consistent with His righteousness. (2) In all His dealings with man, He always
acts with perfect justice. When man does not understand or even disagrees
with God, it is due to the fact of man’s own unrighteous nature. f) God’s
Word is altogether righteous (Ps 19:9; Ps 119:138, 144; Ro 7:12). (1) God’s
Word is His declaration of His own perfect righteousness. (2) His commands, principles, and testimonies
are in accordance with His righteousness and are the only true righteous
instruction for man. g) God’s
righteousness is the moral standard for man (Dt 4:8; 6:25; Ps 50:6; Ps
89:14; Ps 97:2) (1) Since God
is perfect in righteous, He could place no lesser standard upon mankind. (2) All men are obligated to live up to the
standard of God’s righteous character and righteous Word. (3) It is not left to our choice whether we
will accept them or no; they are issued by royal command, and are not to be
questioned. Their characteristic is that they are like the Lord who has
proclaimed them, they are the essence of justice and the soul of truth. God’s
word is righteous and cannot be impeached; it is faithful and cannot be
questioned, it is true from the beginning and it will be true unto the end. (Spurgeon, Treasury of David, Ps 119) h) God
will reward or punish man according to His righteousness (1Ki 8:32; Ps
7:11; Ps 96:13; Ec 3:17; Ro 1:18; Ro 2:5-6). (1) When
God’s righteous standard (based on His own attribute of righteousness) is
violated by any unrighteousness or sin, it evokes His eternal righteous
indignation, i.e. wrath. (2) God will not punish the righteous with the
wicked (Ge 18:25). i) God’s
righteousness is the standard for salvation. (1) Since
God’s righteousness is the moral standard by which man will ultimately be
judged, man’s salvation is solely dependent upon his own righteousness (Ro
2:6-8). (2) However, there are two essential problems
for man. First he must have perfect righteousness without any sin in order to
be saved (Eze 18:4). Secondly, no man is righteous. All men fall short of
God’s righteousness (Ro 3:10; Ro 3:23). Any good works that man does cannot
be meritoriously accepted by God for salvation. The reason is that even
sinful man’s righteous deeds are but a “filthy rag” to a perfectly righteous
God (Is 64:6). j) God
provided righteousness for man in the death of Christ. (1) Christ
took man’s sins and they were imputed to Him on the cross (2Co 5:21). (2) When a sinner exercises faith in Christ’s
atonement, not only are his sins forgiven, but Christ’s righteousness is
imputed to the sinner (Ro 4:3, 22-25). It is on this basis that man can
become righteous before God. (3) It is faith alone in Christ’s atoning work
alone without the inclusion of man’s works (Ro 3:21, 28) that salvation is
obtained (Ro 1:17; Ro 4:5; Ga 2:16; Ga 3:11; Ep 2:8-9). k) Christ
shares the attribute of perfect righteousness (Ac 3:14 (cf. Is 53:11); Ac
22:14; 2Pe 1:1; 1Jn 2:1). l) Observations and Applications (1) When a believer
sins, he does not lose his salvation. The believer has already been forgiven
for sin and received Christ’s righteousness. When a believer confesses his
sins, he acknowledges his unrighteousness. Based on the work of Christ, God
is able to forgive him conditionally and fellowship is unbroken. Therefore,
God does not violate His righteousness by having an eternal relationship with
one who has committed unrighteousness (1Jn 1:9). (2) The believer has been positionally made
righteous through Christ. But it is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies the
believer and produces conditional righteousness (Ro 8:4). (3) Because of the believer’s new nature and
the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, the believer is able to pursue
righteousness in his life (1Jn 2:29; 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 3:16; Tit 2:12). |
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Grace Bible Church · 4000 E. Collins Rd · PO Box #3762 · Gillette, WY · (307) 686-1516 |
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