Topical Bible: Righteousness: Saints: should Yield Their Members As Instruments of

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Righteousness, in the biblical context, refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable, aligning with God's standards and commands. It is a central theme in Scripture, emphasizing the transformation and sanctification of believers. Saints, or those set apart by God, are called to live in a manner that reflects their new identity in Christ, demonstrating righteousness in their daily lives.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Romans, provides a profound exhortation regarding the conduct of believers. In Romans 6:13 , he writes, "Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness." This passage underscores the imperative for saints to consciously and deliberately offer their bodies to God as tools for righteous purposes.

The concept of yielding one's members as instruments of righteousness is rooted in the transformative work of salvation. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers are justified and made righteous before God. This positional righteousness is to be lived out practically, as the Holy Spirit empowers the believer to resist sin and pursue holiness. The members of the body—hands, feet, eyes, and mind—are to be dedicated to God's service, reflecting His character and advancing His kingdom.

Paul further elaborates on this theme in Romans 12:1 , urging believers to "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship." The call to present one's body as a living sacrifice is a call to total commitment and surrender to God's will, allowing every action and thought to be governed by His righteousness.

The yielding of one's members as instruments of righteousness is not merely a passive state but an active pursuit. It involves a conscious decision to reject sin and embrace the virtues that God desires. In Galatians 5:16-17 , Paul instructs, "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." Walking by the Spirit is essential for living a life of righteousness, as it enables the believer to overcome the sinful nature and produce the fruit of the Spirit.

The call to righteousness is also a call to reflect the character of God. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 , it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" Holiness and righteousness are intertwined, as both involve a separation from sin and a dedication to God's purposes.

In summary, the biblical mandate for saints to yield their members as instruments of righteousness is a call to live out the transformative power of the Gospel. It is an invitation to participate in God's redemptive work, allowing His righteousness to be displayed through the lives of His people. Through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to live in a manner that honors God and fulfills His righteous standards.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 6:13
Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin: but yield yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Evidences of Regeneration.
... the Bible everywhere affirms to be true of the saints. ... condemned sin in the flesh:
that the righteousness of the ... in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxx evidences of regeneration.htm

The Christian Urged To, and Assisted In, an Express Act of Self ...
... my character and desert, that I should thus address ... but a fellow-citizen with the
saints, and of ... Son; clothe me with his perfect righteousness; and sanctify me ...
/.../chapter xvii the christian urged.htm

How Christ is to be Made Use Of, in Reference to Growing in Grace.
... a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light ... and your members as instruments
of righteousness unto God ... that the work of sanctification should prosper in ...
/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter vii how christ is.htm

Rom. vi. 5
... a purpose of mind to handle them as should be, so ... us over to the safe keeping of
righteousness, and killing ... side, while the bodies of the saints are deprived ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xi rom vi 5.htm

Psalm LXVIII.
... in the "lots" [2765] the Testaments should be perceived ... living, and their members
instruments of righteousness to God ... Christ with the rest of the Saints, who are ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxviii.htm

The Way from Sin to Perfect Salvation.
... A young man came to Jesus inquiring what he should do to inherit eternal ... linen, clean
and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints." Rev.19:8 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter v the way from.htm

Of the Nature of Regeneration, with Respect to the Change it ...
... to be abundant in the fruits of righteousness, and to ... searching the very heart; so
that He should say, "This ... You know with what relish the saints of old spake ...
/.../doddridge/practical discourses on regeneration/discourse iii of the nature.htm

Of the Last Resurrection.
... is laid up for us "a crown of righteousness, which the ... of Christ, many bodies of
the saints came forth ... a dead body, long wasted by corruption, should return to ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 25 of the last.htm

On the Feast of S. Laurence the Martyr (Aug. 10).
... dearly-beloved, and the fulness of all righteousness is born of ... on which his greedy
mind was set should be brought to ... to the many troops of poor saints, in the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxxv on the feast.htm

Knowledge. Worship. Gratitude.
... and has none of the stern attributes of righteousness and wrath ... if indeed I treat
him as God should be treated ... the world, this unkindness from the saints, and so ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/knowledge worship gratitude.htm