The Righteousness of God
"And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" -Phil. 3:9
The Hebrew word for “righteous” is tsedek. It is defined as rightness, rectitude, justice of a judge, of a king, of God exhibited in punishing the wicked, or in avenging, delivering, rewarding, and the righteous. Another Hebrew word is misphat which means a righteous judge; also dikaios, meaning a just or right judge.
God is a righteous God because He acts at all times in complete conformity with His Holy nature and will. He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment (mishphat- just judgement), a God and right is He (Dt. 32:4).
The Church is referred to as being the righteousness of God (Rom. 5:1). It must be understood, however, that Christians has an imputed righteousness. Scripture teaches that no man, including all believers, will avoid committing sin until the end of time (Isa. 64:6). Though this is true, the way sins are applied once we become believers changes. No longer does God charge or place in your account your sinful deeds; the penalty for the sin that you have commited, is committing, and will commit has been paid in full by the blood of Jesus (Rom. 5:13). Nonetheless, however, one should not use this liberty as an occasion to sin (Rom. 6:1-7). There are still physical consequences in the natural realm in which we live, for a sinful lifestyle. If one commits a crime, the natural laws of the land applies and the offender is dealt with accordingly. A Christian who is found in this position still retains his/her spiritual standing before Christ as if nothing had happened, but suffering occurs as a result of disobedience though the believer repents(i.e. a Christian who commits murder may still serve a jail sentence though they repent sincerely).
God is righteous and believers are declared righteous when faith is exhibited and Christ is received as Lord and Savior. Righteousness is a result of Christ’ works and not the believer works (i.e. Good deeds).
Jesus spoke of a false righteousness that is found in those who trust in themselves because of their moral or physical accomplishments (Matt. 23:28; Luke 16:15; 18:9), but he taught that the truly justified are those who acknowledge their sin and trust in God for forgiveness and his righteousness (Matt. 5:6; Mark 2:17)
Therefore, both the New and Old Testaments made it clear that God’s righteousness, which communicates itself in judgment and wrath against unbelievers, achieve through love, in the form of salvation, forgiveness for those who repent and claim God’s covenant promise fulfilled in Christ [7].
Bibliography
Arnold, Bill T. and Beyer, Bryan E. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. 2 ed. 2008 [4]
Clark, Gordon. Todays Evangelism: Counterfeit or Genuine? Jefferson, MD: Trinity Foundation, 1990. p. 34 [8]
Dake, Finis J. Dakes i Reference Bible.1999.2010. Lawrenceville, GA 30046 [2]
George, Bob. A Closer look at Law and Grace.2003. Carrollton, TX 75007[3]
Gutierrez, Ben. After Three. 2010. Virginia Beach, VA [7]
Luther, Martin, Galatians (Cambridge: James Clarke, [1535] 1953). p. 145 [5]
Spurgeon, Charles Haddon. Mathew (Grand Rapids: Fleming H. Revell, 1995), p. 171.[10]
Swaggart, Jimmy. Hebrews Bible Commentary. World Evangelism Press. 2001. Baton Rouge, Louisianna [9]
Towns, Elmer L., and David Brown. Theology for Today.2001 [1]
Westminister Confession of Faith. 14:2 [6]
