Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: Exhibited in His Government

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The righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His perfect moral nature and His just governance over creation. God's righteousness is not merely an abstract attribute but is actively demonstrated in His dealings with humanity and the world. This righteousness is evident in His laws, judgments, and the ultimate redemption plan through Jesus Christ.

Divine Law and Justice

God's righteousness is first revealed through His divine law, which serves as a standard of holiness and justice. The law given to Israel, encapsulated in the Ten Commandments, reflects God's righteous character and His expectations for human conduct. As stated in Deuteronomy 32:4 , "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He." This verse underscores the perfection and fairness inherent in God's governance.

Judgment and Retribution

God's righteousness is also manifested in His judgments. Throughout the Old Testament, God judges nations and individuals according to their deeds, rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked. In Psalm 9:8 , it is written, "He judges the world with justice; He governs the people with equity." This divine justice ensures that evil does not go unchecked and that righteousness is upheld.

The prophetic books often highlight God's righteous judgment. For instance, in Isaiah 61:8 , God declares, "For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing; in My faithfulness, I will give them their recompense and make an everlasting covenant with them." Here, God's commitment to justice is linked with His covenantal promises, demonstrating that His governance is both just and faithful.

Redemption and Salvation

The ultimate exhibition of God's righteousness is found in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is revealed through the gospel, where justice and mercy converge. Romans 1:17 states, "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" This passage highlights that God's righteousness is not only punitive but also redemptive, offering salvation to all who believe.

Through Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection, God's righteousness is satisfied, and believers are justified. As 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains, "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This profound exchange underscores the depth of God's righteous governance, where justice is met with grace.

Sovereign Rule and Eternal Kingdom

God's righteousness is further exhibited in His sovereign rule and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. The book of Revelation portrays a future where God's righteous reign is fully realized. Revelation 19:11 describes Christ's return: "Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war." This vision affirms that God's righteous governance will ultimately prevail, bringing justice and peace to all creation.

In summary, the righteousness of God is a foundational aspect of His government, evident in His law, judgments, redemption, and sovereign rule. It assures believers of His just and faithful nature, providing a framework for understanding His interactions with the world and His ultimate plan for humanity.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 96:13
Before the LORD: for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 98:9
Before the LORD; for he comes to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... God cannot yield in this conflict; his righteousness forbids this. ... Mount Sinai exhibited
proofs of God's love, and Christ, who died for us on Calvary ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm

The Inward Laws
... It is with the heart that a man 'believeth unto righteousness'; but there must be
an ... Before my heart could rest in the will of God as exhibited in that ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xviii the inward laws.htm

Three Things Briefly to be Regarded in Christ --viz. His Offices ...
... In fine, clothed with his righteousness, we can bravely surmount ... he is called the
Christ of God, because "the ... visible symbol of this grace was exhibited at the ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 15 three things briefly.htm

The Knowledge of God Conspicuous in the Creation, and Continual ...
... life in which iniquity shall receive its punishment, and righteousness its reward ...
the ungodly in not pondering the deep counsels of God, as exhibited in the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 5 the knowledge of.htm

How Christ Performed the Office of Redeemer in Procuring Our ...
... Nor was this a spectacle exhibited to the eyes of ... Christ sitteth at the right hand
of God," (Col.3:1 ... taught that by his power we are renewed unto righteousness. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 how christ performed.htm

The Name Jesus and Also the Name Christ were Known from the ...
... them as the truth itself which was exhibited by our ... Thou hast loved righteousness
and hast hated iniquity. Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter iii the name jesus and.htm

The Consolation
... death of His Son could have exhibited His righteousness "that is ... is arrived, yea
the Sun of Righteousness is arisen ... Prophet's words, Who is a God like unto ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon i the consolation.htm

Paul Before Felix.
... our impetuous passions, if they are not exhibited in connexion ... The power of the word
of God appeared in the ... "As Paul reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxvii paul before felix.htm

Extent of Atonement.
... And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and ... believed in the atonement, have
exhibited the purest ... useless, as the great compassion of God, in providing ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xxvi extent of atonement.htm

Atonement.
... to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he ... of a higher order of virtues
than are exhibited in the ... It was vastly desirable that God should take ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/lecture xxv atonement.htm