The Righteousness of God

The Righteousness of God

Romans 1:16-17; 3:21-22

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written the just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17) But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:21-22)    

            What is the righteousness of God? The righteousness of God is that perfection of character and conduct that is in Christ Jesus. It is the absolutely perfect moral rectitude of His character and His corresponding absolutely perfect moral conduct in all He does and has done. It is His doing righteously, according to perfect righteousness, in the entirety of His existence; that is, in Himself, before He created of the worlds; and in His walk among men as Mediator and Surety of the everlasting covenant of grace. The righteousness of God is that perfect righteousness that resides in our Lord Jesus Christ and is manifested in His thoughts, words, and deeds. The Righteousness of God is that righteousness that resides perpetually in Christ Jesus, and was manifested in this world by His obedience of all that was stipulated in the covenant of grace and fulfilled by Him in His life and in His death; as it is written in the scriptures: He shall “bring in everlasting righteousness” (Daniel 9:24). This righteousness that was brought in; and established by Jesus Christ the God-Man and Mediator between God and men is the righteousness of God. This righteousness of God that has been established by Jesus Christ is imputed to the account of believers; for it is written “Now it was not written for his sake alone (that is, the for the sake of Abraham alone, writer’s parenthesis) that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;” (Romans 4:23-24). And the righteousness of God is received by faith by those who do believe on Jesus Christ as the only Savior of sinners. The righteousness of God thus brought in by Jesus Christ; imputed to the account of believers by the Father; and received by faith by those who do believe, is ordained by God as the only sufficient clothing for the children of God in which they stand complete in Christ Jesus.    

The righteousness of God that was brought in and established by Jesus Christ through His obedience and death is that righteousness that is ordained of God as the only sufficient covering for the children of God. The righteousness of God is the righteousness of saints, for it is written “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” (Revelation 19:8). This righteousness of saints is that righteousness with which the Lord has clothed His saints, as is written “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10). This righteousness of God is that clothing that in the presence of God makes the wearer of it “accepted in the beloved” (Ephesians 1:6). The righteousness of God is the wedding garment for the saints of God, as it is written “And the King came in to see the guests, and he saw there a man which had not on the wedding garment: And he said unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to his servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 22:11-13).

The righteousness of God is received by faith. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:” (Romans 3:22). The faith of Jesus Christ is that faith that has Jesus Christ as the object of faith: it is Jesus Christ that has brought in everlasting righteousness for the children of God. It is Jesus Christ that has by himself put away the sins of His people, (Hebrews 1:3; 9:26-28).  Jesus Christ “by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). “By Him (that is, Jesus Christ, writer’s parenthesis) all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:39). “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:3). Abraham believed God, that is, trusted in God, through, the promised seed of Woman who was to crush the serpents head (Genesis 3:15), and therefore having seen and on believed the woman’s seed; Christ Jesus, by faith, it was counted or imputed to him for righteousness. As our Lord Jesus said “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.” (John 8:56). Abraham “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God: and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;” (Romans 4:20-24). “Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace: to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed:” (Romans 4:16). The seed mentioned in this verse is all the church of the elect in Christ Jesus, that is, Abraham’s spiritual seed, (Hebrews 2:16; Galatians 3:16, 29).

In summary of what haw been written above it may be said: (1.) The righteousness of God is that righteousness which is and was ordained of God, the only sufficient covering for His people. (2.) The only righteousness which is accepted of God as a sufficient clothing, for the dress of the children of God, in which righteousness they are accepted in Christ Jesus; for He Himself is “THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (Jeremiah 23: 6). And His church robed in that righteousness “she shall be called, Lord our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 33:16). (3.) The righteousness of God was brought in and established by Jesus Christ alone; by all He did as the Head and Husband of His church, it is His finished work, His accomplished salvation of His people, His fulfilling the law and  prophets in the room and stead of His elect, (Matthew 5:17-18). (4.) The righteousness of God is imputed to those who are given faith in Christ as complete Savior of His people. (5.) The righteousness of God is received by faith alone; through grace of God alone, in Christ Jesus alone; for our trust in God is through Christ, (Colossians 3:3). (6.) The righteousness of God is the justifying righteousness of the children of God. (Romans 9:30-10:4). See the writer’s blog at www.hebrews915.blogspot.com        

A.J.Ison