Understanding The Righteousness of God

    In my study on this subject I came across an excellent summary definition for the righteousness of God: “It is the plumb line for human life.”  God is righteous (Psalm 11:7, Psalm 85:10-13, 1 John 3:7) and His very nature defines righteousness; all the He is and all that He does is right – God is the only and absolute standard for what is right. God is consistent and unchanging, which means His righteousness is consistent and unchanging; His creation can wholly trust Him and cling to His righteousness with unwavering assurance that we who practice His righteousness are right in His sight (1 John 3:7, also consider Romans 10:2-3, Philippians 3:8-11).

    The heavens declare God’s righteousness (Psalm 50:6, 97:6) – day follows night, Spring follows Winter, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the sun, the moon, and the stars – they all, without voice, declare His righteousness through their consistency and God-given order. Read and think on Psalm 19:1-4.

But the righteousness of God is also seen…

…in His mercy (lovingkindness) Psalm 36:5-6*

…in His faithfulness Psalm 36:5-6, Psalm 143:1-2, Psalm 40:9-10

…in His judgments Psalm 36:5-6, Isaiah 26:9, Psalm 119:160

…in His salvation Psalm 40:9-10

…in His truth Deuteronomy 32:2-4, Psalm 40:9-10

…through His words/His Word (Jesus) Isaiah 45:19, God’s “right hand is full of righteousness” (Psalm 48:10) – Who sits at God’s right hand? Jesus (Colossians 3:1), the Word of God (John 1:1-4, 14). Read and consider Malachi 4:2.

…in the gospel of Christ it is the power of God to salvation Romans 1:16-17

…when He sent His Son to die for us Romans 3:25-26

…in His forbearance to overlook our past sin and grant us forgiveness Romans 3:25-26

…to all who have faith in Christ Jesus Romans 3:21-22

…when we are counted worthy of His kingdom because we endure persecution patiently and faithfully 1 Thessalonians 1:5

…when He repays those who trouble us with tribulation 2 Thessalonians 1:6

 *Just as Psalm 19:7-11 uses “testimony of the LORD,” “statutes of the LORD,” “commandments of the LORD,” “the fear of the LORD,” and “judgments of the LORD” to speak about the “law of the LORD,” I believe that the passages I have referenced (in the above section) give us insight to additional terms that speak of God’s righteousness, because His mercy, His faithfulness, His judgments, His truth, and His salvation are all as He is: consistent, unchanging, and right (Psalm 119:160).

• God's mercy is right; it is the standard for what is right – we need to be merciful as He is merciful (Luke 6:36).
• God’s faithfulness is right; it is the standard for what is right – we need to be faithful like Him in all our doings (Ephesians 6:5-7, Revelation 2:10, Hebrews 10:23, 1 Peter 4:19)
• God’s judgments are right; they are the standard for what is right – we need to respect His judgments and learn from them (Psalm 19:9-11, Psalm 119:137-138, Micah 6:8, Hebrews 5:14, 12:3-11)
• God’s truth is right; it is the standard for what is right - we need to know the truth and obey it (Psalm 119:1-176, John 14:6, John 8:31-32, 1 Peter 1:22)
• God’s word is right; it is the standard for what is right – we need to know it so we can live upright in His sight (Psalm 33:4-5, Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-18. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12)

“How precious is your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the rivers of Your pleasures. For with you is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart.” (Psalm 36:7-10 NKJV)

     God determined before time began that He would provide grace to mankind through His Son (2 Timothy 1:9-10, Titus 1:1-3); He decided it was right to do, and in all the facets of His righteousness He has given us both a plumb line and a life line – a sure standard to live by now and an eternal life to confidently strive for (Ephesians 5:1-2, 1 Peter 2:21-24, 1 Peter 1:3-4).

     Are you using the righteousness of God as the plumb line for your life? Are you imitating Him as a dear child? He loves you and wants you to walk in the way that is right (Deuteronomy 5:32-33, Proverbs 3:5-6); He has provided all that you need to do exactly that (Proverbs 2:10-11, 20, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)! Let’s determine that we will align ourselves with God and His righteousness!

 You can do it! So can I!!