RIGHTEOUSNESS – 7

RAISING A STANDARD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS – (E)

Isaiah 59:19 – So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, And His glory from the rising of the sun; When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the Lord will LIFT UP A STANDARD AGAINST HIM.

• Special note: Raising a standard against the enemy is part of the wonderful work of the Holy Spirit! One of the fruit of the SPIRIT of God is GOODNESS (Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:22). Evil is overcome with GOOD (Romans 12:21).

THE STANDARD OF GOODNESS

Ephesians 5:9; Galatians 5:22-23 – …the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth…  love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

• Special note: It is interesting that GOODNESS is mentioned in both of the Ephesians and Galatians descriptions of the fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT. It is also noteworthy to see the connection between GOODNESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND TRUTH (in Ephesians 5:9). Raising a RIGHTEOUS STANDARD is related to promoting GOODNESS and TRUTH, as well.

THE REVELATION OF GOD TO MOSES

• Special note: When the Lord revealed Himself to Moses, what was a major part of the emphasis? —- “Goodness”!

Exodus 33:19; 34:6 – Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” … And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…

GOD IS A GOOD GOD

Goodness is part of God’s nature. He is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (I John 1:5). He cannot contradict His nature. He always acts in accordance with His GOODNESS, and does that which is RIGHT and GOOD. HOLINESS, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and GOODNESS are descriptions of who He is. He can never do anything that is unholy, unrighteous, or bad because that would be contrary to who He is. He is the STANDARD OF ALL THAT IS GOOD. There is no evil in Him. He always does RIGHT. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

• Special note: Jesus is the perfect source and standard of God’s goodness. Acts 10:38 – … Jesus went about DOING GOOD; 1 Peter 2:21 – …leaving us an example that you should follow in His steps...; John 13:15 – Jesus said… “do as I have done for you”.

I Chronicles 16:34 – Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! (see also Psalm 106:1; 107:1)

Psalm 86:5; 100:5;119:68 – You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You… For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations… You are good, and do good; Teach me Your statutes.

Lamentations 3:25 – The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.

Psalm 143:10; 145:9 – Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness... The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.

Nahum 1:7 – The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.

THE LORD’S THOUGHTS of us AND his INTENTIONS ARE GOOD

Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace (well-being; good) and not of evil (not bad things), to give you a future and a hope.

THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD BRINGS HOPE

Psalm 27:13 –I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD is NEVER–ending

Psalm 52:1 – …the goodness of the Lord endures continually.

WE EXPERIENCE THE LORD’S GOODNESS ALL OF OUR LIFE AND FOREVER

Psalm 23:6 – Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

His GOODNESS brings JOY

2 Chronicles 6:41 – …let Your saints (holy, godly ones) rejoice in (Your) goodness.

HIS GOODNESS IS GREAT

Psalm 31:19 – His goodness is great to those who fear Him.

THE EARTH IS FULL OF GOD’S GOODNESS

Psalm 33:5 – He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.

• Special note: It is interesting to see how RIGHTEOUSNESS, JUSTICE, and GOODNESS are connected together, and synonymous.

GOODNESS BRINGS SATISFACTION

Psalm 65:4 – We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house.

Psalm 103:5 – Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalm 107:8,9 – O that men give thanks for HIs goodness…. He satisfies the hungry soul with goodness.

Jeremiah 31:12,14 – Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, streaming to the goodness of the Lord—
Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, and they shall sorrow no more at all... I will satiate the soul of the priests with abundance, and My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord.”

Nehemiah 9:25 – So they ate and were filled and grew fat, and delighted themselves in Your great goodness.

HIS GOODNESS BRINGS US PROVISION

Psalm 68:10 – You, O God, provided from Your goodness for the poor.

God is good – whether we have plenty or little – We can be content

Philippians 4:11-12 – I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: ¹² I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

WE ARE TO WALK IN THE WAY OF GOODNESS

Proverbs 2:20 – So you may walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness.

• Special note: The “way of GOODNESS” and “paths RIGHTEOUSNESS” are connected to each other, and synonyous.

WE ARE TO FEAR THE LORD AND HIS GOODNESS

Hosea 3:5 – Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They shall fear the Lord and His goodness in the latter days.

THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD LEADS US TO REPENTANCE

Romans 2:4 – Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

WE EXPERIENCE HIS GOODNESS AS WE CONTINUE IN HIS GOODNESS

Romans 11:22 – …consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

OUR LIVES ARE TO BE FULL OF GOODNESS

Romans 15:14 – Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

HIS GOODNESS IS WHAT BRINGS HIM PLEASURE

2 Thessalonians 1:11 – we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power…

CHOOSE GOD’S STANDARD OF GOODNESS

We have two choices to make – the world’s standard of bad, or God’s standard OF GOOD. We need to return to God’s standard, and submit to His Word. We must yield to the work of the Holy Spirit, and follow Jesus GOOD EXAMPLE – modeling God’s goodness in a confused world where many people only see bad instead of good…

Joseph (ILLUS)

GOD IS ABLE TO REVERSE THE EVIL INTENDED BY OUR ENEMIES FOR GOOD INSTEAD

Genesis 50:20 – But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good...

• Special note: What the enemy intends for evil and harm, the Lord can turn around and use for His glory. Proverbs 13:21 – …to the righteous, good shall be repaid.
• Also: the Lord turned the curse into a blessing (Deuteronomy 23:5 – God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.)

ALL THINGS CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

OVERCOMING EVIL WITH GOOD

Romans 12:21 – Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I Peter 2:12 – …having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

MORE SCRIPTURES ABOUT “GOOD / GOODNESS”

GOD’S CREATION IS GOOD

Genesis 1:31 – Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. 

I Timothy 4:4 – …every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving…

EVERY GOOD GIFT IS FROM GOD

James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights,

GOOD THINGS COME FROM OUR HEAVENLY FATHER TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM

Matthew 7:11 – If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

MEDITATION IN THE WORD AND OBEDIENCE BRINGS GOOD SUCCESS

Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

GOD’S PROMISE OF GOOD THINGS WILL BE PERFORMED

Joshua 21:45 – Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

THE GOOD WAY TO LIVE MUST BE TAUGHT

I Kings 8:35,36 – when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, ³⁶ then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk…

GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH GOD BRINGS HIS GOODNESS

Job 22:21 – “Now acquaint yourself with Him, and be at peace; Thereby good will come to you.

THOSE THAT SEEK THE LORD AND DO GOOD WILL NOT LACK ANY GOOD THING

Psalm 34:10,14 – …those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing... Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 84:11 – For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

Psalm 37:3,27 – Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore.

THE LORD DIRECTS A GOOD MAN, SHOWS HIM FAVOR, AND DELIGHTS IN HIS WAY

Psalm 37:23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

Proverbs 12:2 – A good man obtains favor from the Lord, But a man of wicked intentions He will condemn.

Proverbs 14:14,19,22 – The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above... The evil will bow before the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous... Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.

THE CHURCH IS TO PROCLAIM AND SHARE GOOD TIDINGS AND EXALT JESUS

Isaiah 40:9 – O Zion, You who bring good tidings, Get up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, You who bring good tidings, Lift up your voice with strength, Lift it up, be not afraid; Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”

Psalm 40:9 – I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly…

THE LORD IS GOOD TO HIS PEOPLE

Psalm 51:18; 73:1 – Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion… Truly God is good to Israel, To such as are pure in heart.

Psalm 66:11; 85:12 – You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance... Yes, the Lord will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase.

Psalm 104:28; 34:8 – You open Your hand, they are filled with good... Taste and see the Lord is good.

IT IS GOOD TO THANK AND PRAISE THE LORD

Psalm 54:6; 92:1 –  I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O Lord, for it is good... It is good to give thanks to the Lord, And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

Psalm 107:8; 135:3 – Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! … Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is pleasant.

IT IS GOOD TO DRAW NEAR TO GOD

Psalm 73:28 – But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the Lord God, That I may declare all Your works

THE LORD IS GOOD TO THE RIGHTEOUS

Psalm 125:4 – Do good, O Lord, to those who are good, And to those who are upright in their hearts.

FAMILY UNITY IS BLESSED WITH GOODNESS

Psalm 133:1,3 – Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! … For there the Lord commanded the blessing— Life forevermore.

LET’S SHARE MEMORIES OF GOD’S GOODNESS AND GIVE HIM PRAISE

Psalm 145:7 – They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness.

THE LORD SEES EVERYTHING – THE EVIL AND THE GOOD

Proverbs 15:3 – The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.

OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S WORD AND DIRECTIONS BRINGS GOODNESS AND JOY

Proverbs 16:20,29; 17:22 – He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he... A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good... A merry heart does good, like medicine..

Proverbs 19:8 – He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.

Isaiah 1:17,19 – Learn to do good; Seek justice… If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land…

Amos 5:14-15 – Seek good and not evil, That you may live; So the Lord God of hosts will be with you, As you have spoken.
Hate evil, love good; Establish justice in the gate. It may be that the Lord God of hosts will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.

THE PERSECUTION OF GOOD PEOPLE is evil and WILL BE PUNISHED

Proverbs 17:3,20,22,26 – Whoever rewards evil for good, evil will not depart from his house… He who has a deceitful heart finds no good, And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil…  to punish the righteous is not good, nor to strike princes for their uprightness.

PARTIALITY AND CORRUPTION IS NOT GOOD – exposure and correction brings blessing

Proverbs 18:5 – It is not good to show partiality to the wicked, or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

Proverbs 24:23,25; 28:10,21 – ...It is not good to show partiality in judgment... But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them... the blameless will inherit good... To show partiality is not good…

WOE TO THOSE WHO DECEPTIVELY CALL EVIL GOOD, AND GOOD EVIL

Isaiah 5:20 – Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

A GOOD NAME IS PRICELESS

Proverbs 22:1 – A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold.

THE VIRTUOUS DO GOOD ALWAYS

Proverbs 31:12 – (The Virtuous Woman) She does him (husband) good and not evil All the days of her life.

DOING GOOD IS TO BE DEMONSTRATED WITH JUSTICE, MERCY, AND HUMILITY

Micah 6:8 – He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

BAD FRUIT BRINGS GOD’S JUDGMENT

Matthew 3:10; 7:7-19 – …every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.

GOOD WORKS GLORIFY THE LORD

Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

• Special note: Living out God’s Goodness helps reflect God’s goodness to the world and glorifies Him.
• Special note: What do GOOD WORKS look like? Here are some helpful descriptions: Living in integrity and doing what is right when no one else is watching (2 Corinthians 8:21 – not only in the sight of the Lord, but men); Living to please God (2 Timothy 2:15 – do our best to live in a way that is approved of God, and not be ashamed); Walking with compassion toward those who are vulnerable (Colossians 3:12 – clothed with compassion); Seeing people the way God sees them (Matthew 7:12 – The golden rule… doing unto others as you would like them to do to you); Loving justice (Isaiah 1:17 learn to do right – seek justice); Standing for right and doing right even when it costs you (Micah 6:8 – do justly, love mercy, walk humbly); Living in holiness (I Peter 1:15-16 – be holy); Choosing purity over pleasure, with a pure heart and motives (I Timothy 4:12 – be an example to others in purity…, Matthew 5:8 – Blessed are the pure in heart…); Being loving and kind to others (Ephesians 4:32 – be kind to one another); living a Spirit-filled life manifesting the fruit of the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 – be filled with the Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23 – the fruit of the Spirit); diligently growing and increasing in the Christian graces (2 Peter 1:4-10 – faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity); speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15 – speaking the truth in love growing up in Him in all things); with generosity and self-sacrifice (2 Corinthians 9:7 – God loves a cheerful giver…, Romans 12:1 – present your bodies a living sacrifice…, Luke 9:23 – denying ourself and taking up our cross daily…); Following Jesus example in modeling and reflecting God’s goodness; etc…

IS BEING GOOD, GOOD ENOUGH?

No! According to God’s standard, although being GOOD is very important, it isn’t our own goodness that brings salvation. It’s all about God’s great goodness, mercy, and lovingkindness made available through Jesus. The Bible teaches us that there is no one good, except God. We are all sinners, saved by His grace (Romans 3:10-12,23; 6:23; Psalm 53:3). There are some who think that by trying to be a good person, being good will be their basis of salvation. This is not the way of salvation! It is only because of God’s loving forgiveness of our sins through repentance, forgiveness of our sins, and faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross as our substitute sacrifice for the sins of the world that we are saved. When we believe in Jesus, and receive Him as our Savior from sin we are saved. We are saved unto good works. Good works follow those who are saved by faith, and demonstrate our faith.

OUR GOODNESS IS NOTHING WITHOUT THE LORD

Psalm 16:2 – “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”

WE ARE A NEW CREATION – CREATED FOR GOOD WORKS and righteousness

Ephesians 2:8-10 – For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

2 Corinthians 5:17, 21 – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new… that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Romans 6:4 – just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.