1 John 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. The words "he that doeth righteousness," instruct us that there is a righteousness which we can do. We are elsewhere taught that there is a righteousness which we cannot do (Psalm 14:1, 3; Romans 3:10). The righteousness, in the sense of which none are righteous, is either a natural righteousness, we all, by nature, being inclined to evil, or it is an independent righteousness, or it is a meritorious righteousness, or else it is the legal righteousness, the righteousness of perfect obedience, and "in many things we offend all." But the righteousness which we can do is very extensive and precious. We can be so far righteous as to render to God, according to the best of our poor abilities, the honour and worship due to Him; we can believe in Him, fear Him, pray to Him, give Him thanks, honour Him with our substance, delight in His ordinances and commandments; we can avoid the wilful commission of sin, we can cause our light so to shine before men that seeing it they may be led to glorify our heavenly Father. Now our text affirms of those who practise such righteousness — first, that they are righteous; and, secondly, that they are righteous as Christ is righteous. I. HE THAT DOETH RIGHTEOUSNESS IS RIGHTEOUS. Some would object to the use of this language in reference to any human being. They think that human nature is so inevitably depraved that no terms except those of the most debasing import are applicable to any works which proceed from it, even in its regenerate state. But however partial some may be to such distressing views of human nature, the Scriptures do not authorise them. They unequivocally state the fact of man's depravity, but they confine themselves to general declarations of the same, such as "the whole world lieth in wickedness," "the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth," "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God," without attempting to fix the degree of our common corruption — a forbearance which it would be wise in all to imitate. II. HE IS RIGHTEOUS EVEN AS CHRIST IS RIGHTEOUS. The apostle appears to mean that, as Christ's righteousness was His own personal righteousness, and not by imputation, so that righteousness which is by faith shall be accounted the believer's personal, which, through the meritorious obedience of Christ, shall avail to final justification. (A. Williams, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. |
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