Theology Thursday - Righteousness of God

Psalm 11:1–7 KJV 1900

1 In the Lord put I my trust: How say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, They make ready their arrow upon the string, That they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations be destroyed, What can the righteous do? 4 The Lord is in his holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven: His eyes behold, His eyelids try, the children of men. 5 The Lord trieth the righteous: But the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth. 6 Upon the wicked he shall rain snares, fire and brimstone, And an horrible tempest: this shall be the portion of their cup. 7 For the righteous Lord loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold the upright.

Lesson Abstract

This Theology Thursday lesson explores The Righteousness of God, one of His twelve moral attributes. God's righteousness means that everything He does is just, holy, and consistent with His own perfect nature. This righteousness is not only the standard by which He judges the world, but also the gift He imparts to believers through faith in Christ. Understanding this attribute deepens our appreciation for God's justice, His mercy, and His plan of salvation (Romans 1:17; 3:25–26; 2 Timothy 4:8). Through the lens of Scripture, theology, and reflection, this lesson reveals why God's righteousness should inspire our worship, shape our walk, and steady our hope.

Scripture-Based Introduction with Illustration

In 1957, the famed evangelist Billy Graham visited New York City for a crusade that would reach over 2 million people. On the opening night, he boldly preached about the righteousness of God and man’s need for salvation. He later remarked, “If God were not righteous, I’d have no reason to trust Him—but because He is, I can trust Him with my soul.” This is the anchor of biblical faith.

The righteousness of God is not an abstract concept. It is the very reason we know justice will prevail, sin must be dealt with, and salvation is possible. In Psalm 11:7, David declares that “the righteous LORD loveth righteousness,” affirming both God’s character and His delight in those who reflect it. From the Old Testament to the Cross, God's righteousness is revealed in both judgment and grace.

I. God’s Righteousness is Intrinsic to His Nature

Definition: God is righteous in Himself. He is the standard of what is right.

Greek Word: Dikaiosynē (δικαιοσύνη) – moral uprightness, justice, virtue.

Etymology: Rooted in dikē (justice/custom); used over 90 times in the NT.

Theological Reflection

God’s righteousness is not derived or earned. It is not a response to anything external. Rather, it flows from who He is—eternally, immutably, and inherently righteous. This truth assures us that God never acts unjustly, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension. He is not righteous because He follows a higher law; He is the law, the standard, and the judge. This intrinsic righteousness forms the bedrock for all divine actions—whether in judgment, mercy, or providence. God cannot be bribed, confused, or partial, because His righteousness is incorruptible (Deut. 10:17, Job 34:10–12).

Quote:

“Righteousness is not what God does, it’s who He is.” – Dr. John MacArthur

Reflection: God never has to learn righteousness, nor can He improve upon it. It is His nature to do right.

Impact on Believers

Assurance in a corrupt world – Believers can rest knowing that God sees every injustice and will judge righteously in His time (Psalm 37:6 “6 And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, And thy judgment as the noonday.” ).

Inspiration to mirror His character – As we are made in His image and redeemed by His Son, we are called to pursue righteousness in our own lives (1 Peter 1:15–16 “15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” ).

Conviction in moments of compromise – God's moral perfection calls us out of excuses and into obedience, even when it's unpopular or costly.

Supporting KJV Scriptures:

Psalm 145:17 “17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works.”

Deuteronomy 32:4 “4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: For all his ways are judgment: A God of truth and without iniquity, Just and right is he.”

Isaiah 45:21 “21 Tell ye, and bring them near; Yea, let them take counsel together: Who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? and there is no God else beside me; A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.”

Romans 3:5 “5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)”

II. God’s Righteousness is Revealed in Redemption

Definition: The righteousness of God is made manifest in the gospel of Christ.

Greek Word: Dikaiosynē Theou – “the righteousness of God” (Romans 1:17 “17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” ).

This is not just God’s character, but His gracious activity in justifying sinners.

Quote:

“God pardons sinners not by relaxing His justice, but by satisfying it in Christ.” – Charles Spurgeon

Reflection: The Cross is the only place where righteousness and mercy meet without compromi

Theological Reflection

The gospel doesn’t just offer forgiveness—it reveals the righteousness of God (Romans 1:17). At Calvary, God didn’t ignore sin—He poured out justice on His own Son so that He could justly justify sinners. This revelation shows that God's mercy is not leniency, but love satisfying justice. The cross answers the age-old dilemma: How can a holy God forgive sinful people and still remain righteous? The answer: through substitutionary atonement. Christ bore our sins that we might be clothed in His righteousness (Isaiah 53:5–6; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Impact on Believers

Confidence in salvation – We don’t wonder if God “let us slide.” We rejoice knowing Christ met the full demands of justice.

Clarity in evangelism – Sharing the gospel means explaining God's righteousness, not just His love.

Commitment to holy living – Since we’ve been made righteous by faith, we pursue righteousness in practice—not to earn favor, but to honor the One who saved us.

Supporting KJV Scriptures:

Romans 1:17 “17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Romans 3:25–26 “25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 “21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Philippians 3:9 “9 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:”

III. God’s Righteousness is Imparted to Believers

Definition: Believers are declared righteous by God through faith—this is justification.

Greek Word: Dikaioō (δικαιόω) – to justify, declare righteous.

It is a forensic term, meaning God declares the believer as right before Him.

Quote:

“Justification is the act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ.” – Warren Wiersbe

Reflection: You don’t earn righteousness—you receive it by faith, and it changes your status forever.

Theological Reflection

Justification is the judicial act of God whereby He declares the believing sinner righteous, not because of anything within them, but solely because of the finished work of Christ applied to their account. This isn’t mere forgiveness—it’s legal imputation. Christ’s perfect righteousness is credited to the believer. This is the doctrine of double imputation: our sin imputed to Christ; His righteousness imputed to us (Romans 4:5–8). It’s not infused righteousness, but declared righteousness—changing our legal status before a holy God forever.

Impact on Believers

Freedom from guilt and striving – We don’t live to “deserve” salvation; we live because we are declared righteous.

Boldness in spiritual warfare – The enemy’s accusations are silenced by the righteousness of Christ we wear like a robe (Isaiah 61:10; Revelation 12:10).

Focus in spiritual growth – As justified people, we pursue sanctification not to be saved but because we are saved(Romans 6:13–14).

Supporting KJV Scriptures:

Romans 5:1 “1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Romans 4:5 “5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

Titus 3:7 “7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Galatians 2:16 “16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

4. Reflection Questions

How does knowing that God is always righteous affect your trust in Him during unjust times?

Why is it important to distinguish between God’s righteousness and human morality?

In what ways does your life reflect the righteousness you have received in Christ?

5. Closing Prayer

Righteous Father, we thank You for Your perfect justice and holiness. We praise You for being a God who does what is right—always. Thank You for revealing Your righteousness in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Help us to walk in a way that reflects the righteousness You have imputed to us. Keep us humble, faithful, and courageous as we trust in Your character and live out Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.