Righteousness

Church of Christ site GahannaJeffersonChurchOfChrist.org links to an online bible

New Site at TheGJCOC.com!

Home   Salvation   Our Mission   Sermon Central   Guest Book   Search This Site   Contact Us

What is a righteousness?  How do we find it?  How does it protect us?

Definition

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary - Righteousness

1 : acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin
2 a : morally right or justifiable <a righteous decision> b : arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality <righteous indignation>
3 slang : GENUINE, GOOD
synonym see MORAL

Bible Examples

God - Isaiah 59:16-17 - "...his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.  For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak."

Jesus - I John 2:1 - "...we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:"

Abide in Jesus - I John 2:28-29  - "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him."

Only In Jesus - Romans 5:17 - "...they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ."

By Obedience - Heb 11:4 - "By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh."

Obedience - Luke 1:6 - "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless."

Action - Matt 25:34-36 - "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:  Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me."
Result - Matt 25:46 - "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal"

Action - I Peter 3:10-11 - "For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it."
Result - I Peter 3:12-13 - "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.   And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?"

Conclusion

God is righteous and Jesus is righteous.  We are righteous when we abide in Jesus, obeying the commandments of God.  We must both seek good and avoid evil.  When we do these things, God watches over us and hears our prayers.