RIGHTEOUSNESS IS....
by Richard Burkard
In the first article of this two-part study, I mentioned the importance of considering the minister in choosing which church to attend. In many cases, a Pastor is trained not only in Biblical instruction, but in counseling people in need. The late Joseph Tkach Sr. made a good point when he said ministers in the Worldwide Church of God should be "shepherds, and not sheriffs" - though I admit there have been times and experiences in my Church of God years where I wished the Pastor was a sheriff, with powers to discipline members abusing other members to some extent or another.
While a Pastor or minister is trained in such things, the lay leaders of a Church don't tend to be. Local Elders or Deacons may be chosen based on the spiritual fruit they display, but occasionally they can come across displaying a very different approach from the paid ordained ministry. Sometimes the difference is for the better, sometimes not.
A Local Elder I know tends to come across for the worse when he gives sermonettes. He's so "old-school" in Herbert Armstrong's teachings that he repeats writings from decades ago as if they were God's final pronouncement on the matter - and doesn't always take members through the Bible to re-examine whether those writings truly are accurate. One topic he brings up often involves the Biblical definition of righteousness.
"The Bible says commandment-keeping is righteousness," the Elder says as if he committed it to memory long ago. It does say that at one place -- but does that make it The One Definition for the entire Bible? Are there others the Church of God has overlooked? If so, do they affect how a Christian should live, walk -- and especially approach God?
Our first article scratched the surface on the issue of what God considers righteousness. Now we'll look deeper - and find the Bible has much more to say on the topic than one simple-looking verse.
Defining terms
Let's begin with that verse the Local Elder likes to quote. "All thy commandments are righteousness...." (Psm. 119:172, KJV) Does this refer only to the "Big Ten?" The writer of this psalm doesn't seem to think so: "The statutes you have laid down are righteous.... ALL your righteous laws are eternal." (v. 138, 160, NIV unless noted) Luke 1:6 would seem to verify this definition, in its description of the parents of John the Baptist: "Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly."
It's in both testaments, so doesn't that settle it? Not if you believe the words of Jesus Christ. He described Pharisees and law-teachers this way: "On the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." (Mt. 23:28) If an obedient appearance was all that was necessary, the Pharisees would be assured of the First Resurrection - but Jesus suggested they needed something more.
"For I tell you," Jesus says elsewhere, "that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of heaven." (Mt. 5:20) Considering how perfectionist the Pharisees tried to be (and told others to be), this is a scary statement. How can our righteousness possibly top theirs? After all, Isaiah 64:6 says, "....all our righteous acts are like filthy rags."
Thankfully, God thought of that long before we did. "But if anybody does sin [If? Ha! All have - Rom. 3:23], we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." (I Jhn. 2:1)
Jesus Christ? He's the definition of righteousness? Yes -- and may have been as far back as the start of creation. Paul certainly suggests it when he writes, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise.... It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God -- that is, our righteousness." (I Cor. 1:27, 30) Jesus Christ is more than an example of righteousness. He is righteousness for those people God has chosen - and Paul implies in other writings that the choosing and calling were predestined long ago. (Rom. 8:29-30; Gal. 1:15; II Tim. 1:9)
"The end of the law"
This leads to one of the most controversial verses about this topic - Romans 10:4. "Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." What does Paul mean by "end?" The Greek word is telos, which can be translated as, "limit, conclusion, termination, result, purpose." Old-style Church of God groups would choose the word, "purpose," tie it in with Matthew 5:17-19, and say the law remains. The new Worldwide Church of God would choose "conclusion, termination," and say exactly the opposite.(1)
A review of telos throughout the New Testament shows in the vast majority of cases, it refers to conclusions or results - whether it be the end of this age, or a final judgment. Only a couple of New Testament verses might be translated fairly to English as "purpose" - I Timothy 1:5 about "the end of the commandment" (KJV; NIV uses "goal" here), and Mark 3:26 about a devil who "cannot stand, but hath an end;" even this one probably would be disputed. We must note telos is never translated in the King James as "purpose" at all!
The Moffatt translation may offer the clearest delineation of the two arguments: "Moses writes of law-righteousness, 'Anyone who can perform it, shall live by it.' But here is what faith-righteousness says...." (Rom. 10:5-6) The latter argument culminates with a two-point personal salvation plan in verse 9: "Confess with your mouth that 'Jesus is Lord,' believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved...."
So what is "faith-righteousness?" Paul builds a case for it throughout his writings:
* It is a gift from God. (Rom. 5:17) - and arguably could be considered spiritual fruit (Phil. 1:11, especially NIV/NASB)
* It is a faith that comes to you through the righteousness of God and Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:19; see also II Pet. 1:1)
* It is given entirely by faith - "a righteousness that is by faith from first to last...." (Rom. 1:17)
* It is a faith in Jesus Christ - "a righteousness from God, apart from law...." (Rom. 3:21-22; see also 9:30-31 and Phil 3:6, 9)
In Romans 4, Paul points out such faith-righteousness actually has its roots in the Old Testament. For instance, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." (Gen. 15:6) The context of this verse does not really involve commandment-keeping, but trusting God to provide a family lineage. In a similar way, "....God will credit righteousness - for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." (Rom. 4:24)
Righteousness and works
The points we just made may leave the impression that all one has to do to have righteousness, both today and forever, is to say a few words and think with a proper mindset. Yet the Bible also speaks of a righteousness related to the works we do. In fact, Paul refers to it in the same book of Romans.
"....Offer yourselves to God....and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness." (Rom. 6:13) Paul goes on to mention, admittedly in human terms (v. 19), an "obedience, which leads to righteousness...." (v. 16)
This concept, of course, has its roots in the Old Testament. Moses stated it this way: "And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness." (Deut. 6:25) "The work of righteousness shall be peace," says Isaiah (Isa. 32:17, KJV).
While Paul says those who practice faith-righteousness are blessed by God (Rom. 4:5-6), one of the lessons Peter gained from his encounter with Cornelius was, "....in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." (Acts 10:35, KJV) Peter later urged believers to "die to sins and live for righteousness...." (I Pet. 2:24)
Uh-oh - are we saying people can earn salvation by the work of keeping the law? NOOOOO! The earlier points still apply, about righteousness being a gift. "....If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing." (Gal. 2:21; see also Psm. 37:39) We're saying righteous works are the result of a relationship with God, and the gift of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ. After all, the Bible points out the Law was NOT made for righteous people - but for all sorts of sinners. (I Tim. 1:9)
Walking in righteousness
Jesus told the crowd in the Sermon on the Mount that those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness.... will be filled." (Mt. 5:6) The context of this and all the Beatitudes looks toward a future Kingdom of God. Yet Jesus also said believers should seek "Kingdom-righteousness," for lack of a better term, now. (6:33; see also I Tim. 6:11) So there are ways Christians can satisfy their hunger to some extent in this life.
The Bible is filled with examples of what constitutes righteousness or righteous actions.(2) Several of them span both the Old and New Testaments:
* Renouncing sin. (Dan. 4:27; I Cor. 15:34, KJV)
* Being truthful. (Compare Prv. 12:17 with Rom. 1:18, both KJV)
* Helping poor and needy people. (Deut 24:12-13; Mt. 25:37-40)
* Judging in an impartial way. (Deut. 1:16-17; Jhn. 7:24)
Other traits of righteousness may only be found in one testament, but still deserve consideration and meditation:
* Prayer. (Jms. 5:16; I Pet. 3:12)
* Speaking wise words. (Psm. 37:30; Prv. 10:11)
* Speaking in a righteous way. (Jer. 4:2 -- Sometimes it isn't always the words you say, but how you say them.)
* Keeping promises. (Neh. 9:8)
* Walking as a peacemaker, and not in anger. (Jms. 3:18; 1:20)
* Kind treatment of all people, regardless of income -- and even animals. (I Sam. 24:17; Prv. 12:10)
* Being soft-hearted. (The opposite of Isa. 46:12)
* Accepting discipline, or "chastening" in the King James. (Heb. 12:11)
* Resisting wicked people. (Prv. 25:26 - the NIV Study Bible suggests this refers to bribery)
* Walking in boldness. (Prv. 28:1)
* Fairness in measurements. (Lev 19:35)
* Paying people for their labor. (Jer. 22:13)
For those lacking righteousness
After reading all these traits, you may feel inspired to walk more righteously in your life. Or then again, you may feel depressed -- concluding there's no hope for you. If you've sinned and walked in unrighteousness for years, is it possible to turn things around?
The good news is, the answer is yes. As best we could tell, that good news was first declared by a young man named Elihu who was wise beyond his years. As Job battled internally with the disasters which befell him, Elihu said: "He prays to God and finds favor with him, he sees God's face and shouts for joy; he is restored by God to his righteous state." (Job 33:26)
Elihu is describing what might be called "restorative righteousness." The context indicates it involves "a mediator, one out of a thousand," (v. 23) which Elihu describes as an angel telling a man what is right. In our New Testament time, this term can refer to the "one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus." (I Tim. 2:5) Jesus truly is the only one who can fulfill the role described by the prophet Micah: "....He pleads my case and establishes my right. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness." (Mic. 7:9)
Amazingly, the writer of Proverbs admitted a righteous person could fall - and for that matter, not just once. "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again...." (Prv. 24:16) How can he rise again? In our New Testament day, through Jesus paying the penalty of his sins. "If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (I Jhn. 1:9)
After you are restored to a righteous state through Jesus Christ, the Bible offers three tips about what to do next:
1) Learn God's righteous ways (Psm. 119:7). One of the best ways to do this is to regularly spend time in God's Word, for "training in righteousness." (II Tim. 3:16)
2) Talk about God's righteousness with other people (Psm. 71:15-16, 24) - for by doing so, you might lead them to righteousness as well (Dan. 12:3).(3)
3) Sow acts of righteousness in your life (Hos. 10:12; II Cor. 9:10). As we mentioned in the first article, "He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous." (I Jhn. 3:7) We listed some of the ways to do that above.
A caution about righteousness
It's easy to let the righteousness of God "go to your head" - but the Bible reminds believers in several places to walk carefully with it. "The righteous scarcely be saved," Peter warns (I Pet. 4:18, KJV).
One of Jesus's most famous parables compared a Pharisee who saw his sinlessness with a tax collector who realized his sinfulness. The latter left the temple justified, while the former did not. Why was this parable given? "To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else...." (Lk. 18:9-14; see also Job 32:1) This may explain why Solomon warned against being "overrighteous.... why destroy yourself?" (Ecc. 7:15-16)
Jesus also warned righteous people could find themselves in line for persecution (Mt. 5:10). The persecution can be internal, within the mind, from living in a lawless world (II Pet. 2:8) -- or it can be external, from critics speaking words of arrogance and lies. (Psm. 31:18)(4)
Yet Peter offers these reassuring words: "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed." (I Pet. 3:14) God promises to deliver righteous people from their troubles (Psm. 34:19; Prv. 11:8)-- while punishing those who trouble them. (II Thes. 1:5-6)
Future righteousness
The ultimate deliverance for righteous people really is beyond this life. "....Even in death the righteous have a refuge." (Prv. 14:32) It's a refuge of the heart -- knowing in faith that Jesus Christ will return to establish the righteous Kingdom of God in fullness on the earth (Gal. 5:5).
The blur that occasionally can cloud our perceptions of who fits the title will end at that time. Jesus compared it to the division of sheep and goats, in Matthew 25. One group is called righteous and enters eternal life (v. 37, 46), while the other is declared cursed and receive punishment (v. 41). "And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not." (Mal. 3:18)
Paul wrote those who are declared righteous can look forward to a "crown of righteousness" from Jesus (II Tim. 4:8). They will dwell eventually in "a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (II Pet. 3:13) - a place where they are surrounded by nothing but righteous people. (Isa. 60:21) In fact, one Old Testament prophet phrased it this way: "'In that day,' declares the Lord.... 'I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice....'" (Hos. 2:19) In such a marriage, Paul adds, "....In him we might become the righteousness of God." (I Cor. 5:21) We will become it, just as Jesus has now!
Summary
"His righteousness endures forever," Paul says of his God in II Corinthians 9:9. Several other scriptures verify that statement - and remind us that at our core, we are unrighteous people. (Rom. 3:5)
But the good news is that Jesus did not come to call righteous people. He came to call sinners, like you and me. (Mt. 9:13) God called and created us to become new creatures, "created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." (Eph. 4:24)
We've seen that a Biblical definition of "righteousness" involves much more than keeping a list of commandments. It involves faith in Jesus Christ - which leads to a righteous walk expressed in a variety of acts and works. The walk ends with entry into a completely righteous eternity, married to the One called "The Lord our righteousness...." (Jer. 33:16)
If this article finds you living in unrighteousness, may I encourage you to follow the advice of the prophet Isaiah: "Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Isa. 55:7, KJV)
On the other hand, if you're already trying to walk in a righteous direction, may I encourage you to keep walking - staying close to God as you do. "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall." (Psm. 55:22)
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© 2002 Richard Burkard/www.LaughLine.com, All Rights Reserved.
1. The debate over telos goes far beyond the Churches of God. In fact, The New Bible Commentary: Revised (1970 ed., p. 1036) devotes nearly a half-page to this very verse, and admits it's "capable of diverse meanings." The commentary attempts to find common ground in the interpretation of M.J. Suggs, that "righteousness based on faith does not annul the law but brings it to its true goal.... Jesus Christ, incarnate wisdom, the goal of the law."
2. The Bible also offers examples of the opposite side of the issue: what constitutes unrighteousness. The best list seem to be in Romans 1:28-31.
3. This admittedly is something Church of God members historically have not done. They've been told to be "lights" of Christ, speaking only when others ask about why they do what they do. Yet Isaiah 45:19 shows God is willing to "speak the truth; I declare what is right." If Proverbs 28:1 is to be true, and righteous people are to be bold, should they not be willing to share their faith?
4. This seems to be the best explanation for the advice of Proverbs 12:26: "A righteous man is cautious in friendship...."