A BIBLICAL REVELATION AND STUDY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – (Part 2)
GOD IS RIGHTEOUS
Psalm 129:4 – The Lord is righteous …
Deuteronomy 32:4 – He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.
Psalm 92:15 – …the Lord is upright: He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.
John 7:18 – He (Jesus) who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS RIGHTEOUSNESS
Ephesians 5:9 – …(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth).
John 16:8 – when He (the Holy Spirit) has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment…
THE LORD SPEAKS RIGHTEOUSNESS
Isaiah 45:19 – …I, the Lord, speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
- Special note: The Lord speaks in RIGHTEOUSNESS – revealing His RIGHTEOUSNESS in the totality of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for (a)Instruction (training, discipline) in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete (perfect), thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- Special note: The Bible is inspired by God, and gives useful instruction in RIGHTEOUSNESS, so we can know how to live in the way of righteousness and live good, fruitful lives that are pleasing to Him. Instruction in the ways of RIGHTEOUSNESS is very important. We are saved not because of our righteousness, but because Jesus imputed His righteousness to us through faith in Him. Once we have received His righteousness, we are to live and grow in works of righteousness, not unrighteousness.
JESUS IMPUTES HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS TO US
2 Corinthians 5:21 – For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
- Special note: We are Justified (DECLARED RIGHTEOUS) through the finished work of our crucified Lord as we believe in Jesus, and receive Him as our Savior from sin.
Hebrews 2:17 – …that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Isaiah 54:17 – …This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of (FROM) me, says the Lord.
Ephesians 4:24 – …that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Jeremiah 23:6 – In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR Righteousness.
I Corinthians 1:30 – But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—
I Peter 2:23,24 – …when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness.
FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
2 Corinthians 9:10 – Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness (…increase the harvest of your righteousness – TLV)
- Special note: If we are to reap RIGHTEOUSNESS, we need to sow RIGHTEOUS. What we sow we will reap (Galatians 6:7-8). If we want our lives filled with RIGHTEOUS FRUIT, we need to sow the right kind of seed…
Hosea 10:12 – Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.
Matthew 5:16 – Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Philippians 1:11 – …being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
- Special note: The FRUITS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS are beautiful, and a wonderful blessing. We are a new creation, created unto good works and to experience the fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS in our lives (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; 4:24). The fruits of wickedness are dreadful!
DEFINITION OF SIN – UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
What is SIN? Many want to re-define it, and ignore the Biblical definition of sin, and what the Bible has to say about it. They would rather “do whatever is right in their own eyes”, putting what pleases them and others before what pleases the Lord.
I John 5:17 – All unrighteousness is sin…
- Special note: The Bible gives a very clear, unmistakable definition of SIN. Sadly, there are those who don’t want anyone to define sin. They want to make up their own definitions, rather than accept Biblical definitions of it. Below are some other very clear Biblical definitions of sin. We need to know and recognize what sin is in order to be repentant, and turn away from it. The Bible says that when we confess our SINS, the Lord is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from our SINS and ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (I John 1:9; Hebrews 8:11-13).
James 4:17 – to him who knows to do RIGHT (good) and does not do it, to him it is sin.
- Special note: Also, for those that know what is wrong (BAD) and do it, that could also be defined as SIN. SIN is a deviation from God’s will and character. It sometimes means “to fail”, or “to miss the goal/mark”, or fall short of God’s requirements, purposes and plans.
I John 3:4 – SIN is the transgression of the law.
- Special note: Basically, anything that is displeasing to the Lord, unacceptable, and contrary to His will is sin. When we break God’s commandments, that is SIN. Bad, wicked, evil, and unholy ways and actions in God’s sight are SINFUL. To disobey God’s laws and instructions is described as sin. Righteousness is the opposite of sin.
Proverbs 24:9 – The thought of foolishness is sin…
- Special note: The plans of the foolish and the thought of foolishness are sin… (AMPC) It is foolish to SIN, or even think about, or plan to SIN.
SIN IS DISOBEDIENCE, STUBBORNNESS, AND REBELLION. (Deuteronomy 9:7; JOSHUA 1:18)
I Samuel 15:23 – … rebellion is as the SIN of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as INIQUITY and idolatry.
Isaiah 1:4, 18-20 – Alas, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a brood of evildoers… “Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow… 19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;20 But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
LIES AND DECEIT ARE SINFUL, AND BRING DREADFUL CONSEQUENCES
John 8:44 – You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
I Timothy 1:10 – …for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine…
I John 2:4 – He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Hebrews 3:13 – …exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
2 John 1:7 – For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Revelation 21:8 – But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”
SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 10:3 – …they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
Philippians 3:9 – and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness… but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith…
Isaiah 64:6 – But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags…
GOD SPEAKS HEALING AND FORGIVENESS TO HIS PEOPLE
2 Chronicles 7:14 – If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
- Special note: God clearly speaks about SIN. It needs to be repented of, so it can be forgiven.
GOOD NEWS! UPON REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION, JESUS BRINGS FORGIVENESS FOR SIN! (I JOHN 1:9)
Colossians 1:14 – In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins…
- Special note: We are made free from sin, now to live righteous, holy lives. (The servants of sin are free from RIGHTEOUSNESS. Romans 6:20)
RESULTS and fruit OF SIN
Romans 6:23 – …the wages (reward; consequences; payment) of sin is death…
Proverbs 10:16 – …the labor of the RIGHTEOUS tends to life: the fruit of the WICKED TO SIN.
Proverbs 15:26 – The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Psalm 1:4-6 – …The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous 6 For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
2 Peter 2:13 – …and will receive the wages of unrighteousness.
RIGHTEOUSNESS VS. UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
RIGHTEOUSNESS BRINGS LIFE, FAVOR, AND BLESSING; UNRIGHTEOUSNESS BRINGS GOD’S JUDGMENT, WRATH, AND DESTRUCTION.
Proverbs 10:11,19 – The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked... As righteousness leads to life, So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
Psalm 5:12 – You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
The RIGHTEOUSNESS of God is revealed from faith to faith; the wrath of God is revealed against UNRIGHTEOUSNESS and UNGODLINESS.
Romans 1:17-18,29; 2: – For in it the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The JUST (RIGHTEOUS; UPRIGHT; those who are RIGHT WITH GOD, person in RIGHT STANDING; person who has GOD’S APPROVAL) shall live by faith.” 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all UNGODLINESS and UNRIGHTEOUSNESS of men, who suppress (hold down) the truth in UNRIGHTEOUSNESS… being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers… to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath…
- Special note: In the list of evils in verse 29, UNRIGHTEOUSNESS is a the top of the list!
Jeremiah 22:13 – “Woe to him who builds his house by unrighteousness…”
Romans 6:13 – do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
2 Thessalonians 2:12 – …that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
A STUDY OF RIGHTEOUSNESS COMPARED TO UNRIGHTEOUSNESS IS A COMPARISON OF LIGHT TO DARKNESS.
- Special note: RIGHTEOUSNESS and UNRIGHTEOUSNESS don’t mix well. They are not compatible. The lukewarm church of Laodicea — (neither hot nor cold) made God sick (Revelation 3:15-16).
WHAT FELLOWSHIP HAS LIGHT WITH DARKNESS?
2 Corinthians 6:14 – …what fellowship has righteousness with UNRIGHTEOUSNESS (lawlessness)? And what communion has light with darkness?
TRUTH DECLARES RIGHTEOUSNESS
Proverbs 12:17 – He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
GOD LOVES RIGHTEOUSNESS
Psalm 11:7 – For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.
GOD HATES SIN
Proverbs 6: 12 A worthless person, a wicked man, Walks with a perverse mouth; …14 Perversity in his heart,
He devises evil continually, He sows discord. 15 Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy. 16 These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
Psalm 11:5 – …the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Psalm 7:11 – God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day.
Proverbs 8:13 – The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
Isaiah 61:8 – “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery…
Hebrews 1:8,9 – But to the Son (JESUS) He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness (injustice, SIN – AMP);Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness
RIGHTEOUSNESS BRINGS EXALTATION TO THE LORD, AND EXALTS A NATION
RIGHTEOUSNESS EXALTS A NATION; sin brings shameful disgrace and reproach to any people. (Proverbs 14:34)
The Lord is revealing His RIGHTEOUSNESS through His Word. His RIGHTEOUSNESS brings exaltation to His name, and BLESSING to the NATIONS who abide in it.
I Corinthians 15:34 – Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
- Special note: It is time for the nations to wake up to the importance of RIGHTEOUSNESS, if God’s blessing is desired. Sin is a reproach to any people – A lack of understanding about God and His ways of RIGHTEOUSNESS is shameful.
LET’S PRAY
James 5:16 – …The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
- Special note: The prayers of the Lord’s RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE are powerful! Let’s not be weary in well doing, for in due season we will reap if we don’t faint (Galatians 6:9).
NATIONS ARE BLESSED IN THE LORD, AND THROUGH HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
Jeremiah 4:2 – …‘The Lord lives, ’In truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; The nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him they shall glory.
