The Bible tells us that the righteous are those who are declared righteous by God. They live a life of obedience and faithfulness to God’s commandments. When someone has faith in Christ and trusts in Him, they become a part of the Righteous and are declared righteous by God. Throughout the Bible, throughout the Old and New Testaments, righteous people are described as having characteristics such as being devoted to God, forgiving, and self-sacrificing. So, who are they and what do they mean in the Bible?
In the Old Testament, the first use of the term “the righteous” is found in Isaiah 1:17. It is God’s commandment to His people — an exhortation to seek justice, love mercy, and walk in humility. Additionally, in the book of Psalms, the righteous are described as those who walk in the law of the LORD, and they keep His testimonies, seeking Him with all their heart. They also praise and serve Him (Psalm 119:172).
In the Gospels of the New Testament, the righteous are presented as those who are in right relationship to God. We can see this in the story of the Young Man in Mark 10:17-22. He wanted eternal life and so Jesus asked him what he must do. When the young man said he had kept the commandments, Jesus told him “You lack one thing: go and sell all you have, and give it to the poor, then come and follow me.” Here we have an understanding of righteousness not only as faith in Christ, but also as giving away what we have out of love for others. This also links to the practice of almsgiving in Christianity, which focuses on helping those less fortunate than oneself.
In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains to his listeners a new way of looking at the law and a new definition of what it means to be righteous. He stated that the righteous are those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness”, those who are “merciful”, “peace-makers”, “pure in heart”, and those who “love their enemies” (Matthew 5:6-9). So, in addition to having faith in Christ, the righteous are those that demonstrate mercy, peace, purity, and love in their lives.
Paul speaks of righteousness in his letters to the Romans and the Galatians, saying that we are made righteous through faith in Christ, and not by works of the law. He explains that righteousness before God comes from faith in Jesus Christ, and not from our own works (Romans 3:21-22). This is the central message of Christianity: that we are not saved through works of the law, but through faith in Jesus Christ.
The Bible is clear that the righteousness of God is revealed through faith in Christ. Those who have faith in Him and obey His commands can be declared righteous, and it is as simple as that. Believing in Jesus Christ is the first step to being counted among the righteous in the Bible.
Faith in Jesus Christ
The Bible tells us that those who have faith in Jesus Christ and accept Him as the Lord and Savior will receive the gift of righteousness. The New Testament is filled with references to faith in Jesus, from John’s gospel to the Epistles of Paul. By believing in Jesus and accepting Him as Lord and Savior, we can be saved and declared righteous before God. Indeed, “whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Paul explains that we are saved by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul teaches that “by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” So, faith in Jesus is essential for salvation and it is the foundation of righteousness before God.
There are many teachings in the Bible about faith and righteousness, but the common thread of all these teachings is that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior, who obey His commands, and who live a life according to His teachings, can be declared righteous before God. It is a simple yet powerful truth.
Righteous as Modelling Charity
The Bible also teaches that the righteous are those who demonstrate charity. Charity is a fundamental principle in Christianity, and is seen as an essential part of being righteous before God. In fact, Jesus said that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). He demonstrated this by always giving himself away to others, and through His teachings on love and compassion, He was showing us the way to righteousness.
The book of Proverbs explains that “he that has mercy on the poor, happy is he” (Proverbs 14:21). It teaches us that the righteous demonstrate mercy and charity by helping those in need. We can also see this in the parable of the Good Samaritan, where the Samaritan gave up his time and resources to help a stranger (Luke 10:25-37). This shows us that the righteous are those who give of themselves to help others, both spiritually and materially.
Indeed, Jesus is the perfect example of righteousness as charity. He gave of Himself so that others may be saved. He showed us what it means to be a servant of grace and mercy. The righteous in the Bible are those who follow in His footsteps. They are those who “bear one another’s burdens,” who “rejoice with those who rejoice,” and who “weep with those who weep” (Galatians 6:2).
Righteousness in the End Times
The Bible also teaches that the righteous will be rewarded in the end times. In the book of Revelations, John speaks of a time when the righteous will be rewarded for their faithfulness. He speaks of “a new heaven and a new earth” and of the reward for “those who have kept the faith” (Revelations 21:1-4). This is a time when the righteous will enter into the joy of the Lord and be given their eternal reward.
Thus, the righteous are those who have faith in Jesus Christ, who keep His commandments, and who demonstrate mercy, love, and charity. These are the just who are counted among the faithful in the Bible. It is clear that the Bible teaches us that the righteous are those who have placed their trust in Jesus and who have given themselves to Him in service and love.
Righteousness Through Obedience
The Bible contains several references to loving obedience as a sign of righteousness. In 1 John 5:3-4, it is written: “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.” Here we see that righteousness is seen as obedience to God’s commands. It is not simply a matter of believing, but also of doing what God requires.
The commandment to love one another is another key aspect of righteousness in the Bible. Jesus said that “a new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). Here we can see that the righteous are those who demonstrate love for others. Loving one another is a key sign of being righteous before God.
The Bible also teaches that righteousness is a matter of living with integrity. The book of Psalms says “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1). Here we see that righteousness is linked to living a life according to God’s commandments and avoiding sinful activities. The righteous must strive to live with integrity in all areas of life.
Righteousness through Suffering and Perseverance
The Bible also teaches that righteousness is linked to suffering and perseverance. Jesus Himself endured great suffering throughout His ministry, and He even suffered death on the cross. It is through His suffering that He was able to provide the perfect sacrifice for our sins and to bring us salvation. His suffering was an example of perfect righteousness.
The book of Hebrews tells us that “though He were a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8). Here we see that Jesus’ suffering was a way for Him to learn obedience to God. Through His suffering, He was able to show us a perfect example of righteousness.
The Bible also teaches that the righteous are those who persevere in the face of suffering. In the book of James, it is written: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:2-4). Here we see that the righteous are those who persevere through suffering and trials. They do not give in to the temptations of sin, but remain faithful to God and trust in Him for deliverance.
In conclusion, the Bible is clear that the righteous are those who have faith in Jesus Christ and follow His example of love and obedience. They demonstrate charity, integrity and perseverance, and they are those who are saved by grace through faith. This is the true meaning of righteousness in the Bible.
