The Righteousness of God

Introduction

The righteousness of God is a unique phrase that only shows up a few times in the New Testament.

Much has been made of it

God’s Righteousness

The dictionary definition for righteousness is acting in accord with divine or moral law. - Merriam Webster

You can see here the idea that righteousness is “following the rules.”

It is the idea of being judged morally correct.

This carries into the idea of being guilty or innocent which is really highlighted when we see this word translated as justified or just.

But how would we apply that to God?

Righteousness is not a quality that exists outside of God that He comes into compliance with.

It is a quality that is defined by Him. We could say it is defined as Him. He doesn’t just make the rules, He is the rule.

God’s righteousness is defined by His faithfulness (Deut. 32:4; Psa 96:13; 119:138; 143:1; Zech. 8:8; cf. Isa. 11:5).

Even where the word faithfulness is absent, we can see the idea present (Neh. 9:8).

Consider this concept in the book of Romans (Rom. 1:16-17; 3:3-5, 21-28; 10:1-4).

Notice the specific point at which His righteousness is manifested (Rom. 3:25).

This is the culmination of His righteousness which includes His plan to justify (make righteous) His people.

The issue in the book of Romans is that Israel has been at the center of God’s plan of righteousness.

They have failed…and so the logical assumption is that HE has failed.

But, in fact, He has accomplished His righteousness (fulfilled all His promises).

The Jews, however, don’t see that God actually accomplished righteousness in Christ (they don’t know about that). So they continue to pursue righteousness on their own terms instead of submitting the righteousness that God has accomplished.

God’s Righteousness and Ours

We are capable of doing righteousness (Matt. 6:1; Acts 10:35; Heb. 11:33; 1 Jn. 3:10; Rev. 22:11).

So while we are “pronounced” or “judged” righteous (more on that in a moment) we are actually supposed to be DOING righteousness.

This can be considered in relative terms (Gen. 38:26; 1 Sam. 24:17; Jer. 3:11; Matt. 5:20).

We can only be pronounced righteous as a gift (Rom. 3:24).

This is true for two reasons:

We have been unrighteous/faithless (Rom. 3:9-20).

If all the evidence is taken together, we have not been faithful.

Even if we are being perfectly faithful right now, it will do nothing for transgressions already on the record.

We are not capable of being as righteous as God (Lk. 17:10).

We have insufficiencies of knowledge and strength and understanding that we are left with only being capable of being obedient servants.

God is so much more righteous than that.

We are not talking about disobedience and therefore sin. We are talking about the kind of obedience a small child offers. We are good parents when we accept as righteous, faithful obedience imperfectly offered.

It is not unjust for God to give us this gift (Rom. 3:24-26).

The righteous live by continued faithfulness (Rom. 1:17; cf. Heb. 10:36-39).

If you are unfaithful (when He comes) you will be considered faithful.

If you are faithful when He comes, you will get full credit.