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Righteousness

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Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Sep 12, 1911

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 38, No. 36.

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Righteousness

By William Covert

By William Covert
THE word "righteousness" refers either to a right course of action, or a correct state of being.
Primarily, righteousness proceeds from the Lord, as announced by the prophet when he said, "O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee." Dan. 9: 7. Another said, "This is His name whereby He shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness." Jer. 23: 6.
It exists without having been created; for the psalmist says, "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness." Ps. 119: 142. And of God’s existence David writes, "From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God." Ps. 90: 2. His righteousness and Himself are therefore together in the everlasting list, and are of endless duration. This is why David could say, "His righteousness endureth forever." Ps. 111: 3. And Daniel also said, concerning the work of redemption, that it would bring in everlasting righteousness. Dan. 9: 24.
Solomon, speaking of the endless blessing that belongs with righteousness, says, "The righteous is an everlasting foundation." Prov. 10: 25. He declares also that "in the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." Prov. 12: 28.
The prophet, writing of its present and eternal blessedness, states that "the effect of righteousness" is "quietness and assurance forever." Isa. 32: 17. The Word of God affirms that "righteousness delivereth from death," and also that "the labor of the righteous tendeth to life." Prov. 10: 2, 16.
It is clear, from the foregoing quotations, that righteousness and life are inseparable. Therefore if all men had always been righteous, no man would have died. It is also true that those persons who will have immortal life will live in perpetual conformity to righteousness.
David, in speaking of the dwelling-place of righteousness, says its habitation is the throne where God sits. Ps. 97: 2. Therefore all that is devised, decreed, or approved by Him as He sits upon that throne must conform to righteousness. For "He shall judge the world in righteousness, He shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness." Ps. 9: 8. It is also predicted of Christ’s kingdom that "righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins." Isa. 11: 5. Indeed, righteousness is the element of stability that makes solid the government of God. "For the throne [God’s throne] is established by righteousness." Prov. 16: 12.
Concerning the reign of grace both here and hereafter it is written that grace will "reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom. 5: 21.
It was righteousness that armed the Son of God for His conflict with the adversary when He was here in mortal flesh. Thus it was predicted of the battle, that "His arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him." Isa. 59: 16.
Righteousness also serves as a breastplate of protection for him who is called to battle with the powers of evil. "Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness."
It is an ensign of royalty upon the heads of the redeemed. "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing." 2 Tim. 4: 8. At that time "shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father." Matt. 13: 43.
The love of righteousness and His opposition to iniquity is to Christ the means of everlasting gladness; for it is written of Him, "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows." Heb. 1: 9. And herein is the contrast between the righteous and wicked sharply drawn. The one loves righteousness, and the other hates it.
Elymas the sorcerer was a person full of all subtilty and all mischief, a follower of the devil, an enemy of all righteousness. Acts 13: 10.
In reference to God’s people the request is made, "Let Thy saints rejoice in goodness." 2 Chron. 6: 41.
The redeemed from among men will be in character like their Saviour when they in-