Righteousness may be defined as conduct which is in keeping with what is right. In spiritual terms, it is conduct that acknowledges God and His claims and acts according to all that God is in His character. It acknowledges right as God sees it, and not according to the changing morality of this world. As we can see in other articles in this issue, the believer is already positionally “the righteousness of God in Him [Christ],” while he waits for that perfect righteousness that will be displayed in every believer at the coming of the Lord. In placing us in this position, God has acted perfectly in accordance with His holy character, for the sin question has been settled at the cross, and in a righteous way. “To declare, I say, at this time His righteousness: that He might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:2626To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26)).
The Extensive Effects
of Righteousness
We know also that the finished work of Christ will have far reaching effects as to righteousness. Because He has suffered, not only for sins, but also for sin, John the Baptist could say, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)). In the same way, we read in Hebrews 9:2626For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26), “Now once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” Because of His work to put away sin, God has highly exalted His beloved Son, and He will be vindicated in the day when “a King shall rule in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment” (Isa. 32:11Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (Isaiah 32:1)). For the entire millennial day, righteousness will reign, and judgment will be executed every morning against those who sin openly.
More than this, there is an eternal day coming when the prophecy of John the Baptist will be fulfilled. Righteousness will reign during the one thousand years of the millennium, but in the eternal state we read of “a new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13). All sin will have been removed, nor can it ever raise its head again. For all eternity the scene in both heaven and earth will bear testimony to the fact that righteousness dwells.
Righteousness Suffers
Where does all this leave us now, in this world? Sad to say, righteousness neither reigns nor dwells in the world at the present time. Rather, righteousness suffers, because the “Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:22But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)) has been rejected and crucified. Men chose a Barabbas instead of the Lord Jesus, and with one consent they said, “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:1414But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. (Luke 19:14)). The reason was clearly stated by our Lord Himself: “The world cannot hate you; but Me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil” (John 7:77The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. (John 7:7)). Until the Lord comes back in power and glory as the Sun of righteousness, Satan remains the god and prince of this world, and righteousness suffers.
Unhappily, we find in these last days that unrighteousness is reaching a crescendo. The description given in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 is that of Christendom, when God’s claims and the truth of God’s Word have been rejected. The details given are typical of the worst kind of unrighteousness, which will, no doubt, increase as time goes on.
The Influence of Unrighteousness
There is a serious danger that we, as believers, will be drawn into this vortex and adopt, in our everyday lives, the unrighteous practices of the world around us. As evil continues to rise, “situational ethics” and political expediency become the basis on which moral decisions are made. Man refuses to recognize any objective standard of right and wrong. It requires more and more diligence to walk according to the truth of God’s Word and to conduct our lives in a righteous way. Some years ago a believer was passed over for a promotion in his company, although he was by far the best qualified for the job. His boss simply told him, “You are too good a man.” The company realized that the believer in question would refuse to conduct business in an unrighteous way, and thus he would not be suitable to fill the position.
Grace and Unrighteousness
However, God has given us everything in order for us to exhibit practical righteousness in our lives. The book of Titus is noted for its emphasis on good works, not in order to obtain salvation, but rather to show the results of it in our lives. The power to do so is given to us clearly: “The grace of God which carries with it salvation for all men has appeared, teaching us that, having denied impiety and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, and justly, and piously in the present course of things” (Titus 2:11-1211For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (Titus 2:11‑12) JND). We may seek to curb our tendency to unrighteousness by an appeal to conscience or by human energy. However, the strongest force to keep the believer from sin is a sense in his soul of the grace of God. It has appeared to all men, although many do not believe. But God has revealed Himself in His Son, who has not only displayed righteousness in His walk through this world, but who has made a way for all to become “the righteousness of God in Him.” I would suggest that one of the strongest testimonies to this world is a righteous walk, not on a legal or self-centered basis, but rather because of our appreciation of the grace of God. Both grace and righteousness should characterize the believer, as he conducts his affairs in this world.
W. J. Prost