THE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE OF GOD

So far we have considered some Bible teachings concerning the Need of Mankind that has arisen because of his sin; and we have also considered the grace of God by which our loving heavenly Father provides us with a solution for our sin problem. And now, to further assist us in understanding the need for man to respond to the wonderful grace of God, it is most helpful to focus upon the Righteousness of God. In the Old Testament, we often find the same word that is translated “righteousness” also translated “justice.” Now also notice the definition of the Greek word used in the New Testament and see the connection here between “righteousness” and being “just.”

dikaiosune is "the character or quality of being right or just"; it was formerly spelled "rightwiseness," which clearly expresses the meaning. It is used to denote an attribute of God . . .

A. Of whatever is right or just in itself, whatever conforms to the revealed will of God:

1. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after _____________: for they shall be ______ (Matt 5:6).

2. List some things one might do if he were hungering and thirsting after righteousness? (consider every aspect of one’s life and how hungering and thirsting after righteousness might have an effect on one’s life). We’ll summarize all of your input on this for the entire class.

3. Blessed are they which are __________ for ______________ _______: for theirs is the _______ of _______(Matt 5:10).

4. For I say unto you, That except your _____________ shall exceed the _____________ of the __________ and _________, ye shall in no case enter into the ________of ______ (Matt 5:20).

5. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of _____, and of _____________, and of ________: 9 Of _____, because they believe not on me; 10 Of _____________, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more (John 16:8-10).

B. For whatever has been appointed by God to be acknowledged and obeyed by man:

6. And Jesus answering said unto him, _______it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to _______ all _____________. Then he _________him (Matt 3:15).

7. For John came unto you in the ____of _____________, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, ________ not afterward, that ye might believe him (Matt 21:32).

8. But seek ye first the _________ __ _____, and his ________________; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matt 6:33).

9. But if our _________________ commend the _______________ ___ _____, what shall we say? Is God ________________ who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) (Rom 3:5)

In this passage “the righteousness of God” means essentially the same as His faithfulness, or truthfulness, that which is consistent with His own nature and promises.

10. Whom God hath set forth to be a _______________ through faith in his blood, to declare his ______________for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his _____________: that he might be ____, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Rom 3:25-26).

12. “For when for the time ye ought to be _____________, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of______, and not of _________ ______. 13 For every one that useth milk is _________ in the _____ __ _____________: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by ________ ___ _____ have their ___________ ______________ to discern both__________ and _______” (Heb 5:12-14).

Rom 3:25, 26 spoke of His “righteousness” as exhibited in the death of Christ, which is sufficient to show men that God is neither indifferent to sin nor regards it lightly. On the contrary, it demonstrates that quality of holiness in Him which must find expression in His condemnation of sin. This is where judgment comes in, in the condemnation of sin. Since God IS righteous, and commands us to BE righteous, His standard of judgment will BE the word of His righteousness(Heb. 5:13).

He that ___________ me, and __________ _______ my __________, hath one that _____________ him: the _________ that I have __________, the same shall __________him in the last day (John 12:48).

Sometimes it is helpful to consider the opposite of a word in order to make the meaning clearer. So let us now consider how the word “unrighteousness” is used in the scriptures.

15. “. . . with all ______________of ___________________ in them that perish; because they _______________ ______ ______ _______ ____ ______ ________, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should __________ a _______. 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in _________________” (2 Thess 2:10-12)

17. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither _____________, nor ___________, nor _____________, nor ________________, nor ____________________________, 10 Nor ________, nor ________, nor _________, nor ________, nor ____________, shall inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10).

28. All _____________________ is ________: and there is a sin not unto death (1 Jn.5:17)

29. Galatians 5:19 (KJV) lists 17 such sins. List them as your answers for 30-40, then define those which were not defined in the list from 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.

Colossians 3:5-9 (KJV) lists 11 such sins which would also be in the category of unrighteousness. List them in your answer for 41-52, then define the ones which have not been defined from 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 and Galatians 5:19-21.

51. __________________ ______________ a _______________: but _______ is a _________________ to any ____________ (Prov 14:34).

This lesson is closely connected with Lesson Eight. As men and women of God, the responsibility to lead rests with us. It is seldom that a congregation rises above its leadership. Man cannot be saved in his unrighteousness. Man cannot lead where he has not gone. The Lord’s church needs righteous men and women to set the example for those who follow after. It is usually the men who fall short, so while I am particularly interested in seeing the responses of the men in the following thought questions, the thoughts of our gentle ladies would serve to give us men some insights as to where we have been missing it. Think “tough love” people and let us come to grips with this problem of unrighteousness, for the righteousness of God will be the standard in the judgment. To get you in the proper frame of mind for the thought questions at the end, answer # 52 first.

52. And the times of this _________________ God winked at; but now ____________________ men every where to _____________: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will ___________ the ___________ in ___________________ by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead (Acts 17:30-31).KJV

(We'll share some of these thoughts with the entire class using only first names for the purpose of anonymity.):

a. How can we as leaders of our families and as leaders of the Lord’s people instill desire for righteousness in the church?

What specific pitfalls do our young people face regarding the above lesson and how may we help them to overcome these temptations?

What specific pitfalls do we men and women face regarding the above temptations and how may we strengthen ourselves to overcome and to set the example in these areas?

We will share your responses to the three thought questions with the entire class using only first names to protect anonymity. If any have experience in dealing with or in counseling with people who have suffered because of their involvement in specific acts of unrighteousness, your input is especially welcomed. We must know that unrighteousness leaves "scars." Tell us how you have been able to overcome, or how you have helped others to overcome and deal with their lives after the devastation of unrighteousness has marred their lives, the lives of their children, the lives of others. What solutions have you found? I would like to post a journal of these with only your first name listed, unless you specifically request complete anonymity.

One specific plague of unrighteousness that I would like to see addressed since I am having to deal with several in this situation is the Internet chat places and mind bending pornography that has captivated so many people who are supposed to be members of the Lord's church. Who has had success in helping such a one out of this quagmire of unrighteousness? Feel free to email me privately if you do not want this posted; however this threat is so pervasive I think we all need to be ready to attack it with prayer and a vengeance.