This month of April, we are talking about “The Righteousness of God”. As I pondered over the concept of His Righteousness, I began asking myself why there is so much emphasis on the issue of Righteousness when referring to God. What is the difference between His Righteousness and Our Righteousness? A little focus on some scriptures will help us throw light on Righteousness as the Nature of God. So lets jump right into it.
Firstly, Righteousness comes from a Greek word Nomimotita which means in simple terms LEGALITY. Legality in a normal English context is “the quality or state of being in accordance with the Law or being right. “ So in essence, righteousness is the Quality of being morally right (Holy).
How is Righteousness the Nature of God?
Leviticus 11:44a “For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be Holy for I am Holy…”
There are many things to be said about the Righteousness of God especially from scriptures. But taking a close look at the above scripture, it appeals to us that the aspect of Righteousness and Holiness is not a mere commandment, But God acknowledges the fact that it is His nature, hence if we are created in the image of God, we too must be Righteous as God our kind is righteous (Holy).
Righteousness is what makes up the Kingdom of God, thereby depicting His Nature.
Romans 14:17 “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit.”
God’s righteousness comes from the fact that God hates sin and desires that we should live in righteousness as well. That is why He sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to set us free from sin.
How should Christians react in Relation to God’s Righteousness?
2 Timothy 2:11-13
“Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
This scripture just reminds us of the Righteousness of God. No matter how much we have sinned against Him in unrighteousness, His nature never changes. He is still God all by Himself.
It is worthy of note that our acts of Obedience, Righteousness or disobedience to God does not change anything in Him. Even if we deny Him and follow our own ways, He will never change for Righteousness (Faithfulness) is His nature and He cannot deny himself.
Therefore, the only way we should react towards the Righteousness of God is to put Him first in everything we do for it is for our benefit. He remains God, who waits with open hands to receive you because He is a faithful. He is not a robber of persons but “He rewards those who diligently seek Him.”(Hebrews 11:6)
Therefore, I urge you dear reader, to seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and every other thing shall be added unto you.
Remain Blessed.
How can you distinguish between “Righteousness as a nature” from “Righteousness as a work?”