WOS-I Syllabus                                                           WOS-I-5

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.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

RIGHTEOUSNESS[1][1]:

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 . . .   

 “Dikaiosune is found in the sayings of the Lord Jesus:

In the following verses we see four uses of the word “Righteousness”

 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 _____(a)______: for they shall be ___(b)___ (Matt 5:6).

    ans.: (a)

            (b)

 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.

    ans.:

 3. Blessed are they which are __(a)___ for ___(b)____ __(c)___: for theirs is the ___(d)____ of _____(e)_______(Matt 5:10).

    ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c)

            (d)

            (e)

 4. For I say unto you, That except your _____(a)________ shall exceed the ____(b)______ of the ___(c)_______ and ____(d)_____, ye shall in no case enter into the ___(e)___ of __(f)____ (Matt 5:20).

    ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c)

            (d)

            (e)

            (f)

 5. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of ____(a)_____, and of _____(b)_____, and of __(c)____: 9 Of ___(d)______, because they believe not on me; 10 Of ____(e)_______, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of ____(f)________ because the prince of this world is judged (John 16:8-10).

    Ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c)

            (d)

            (e)

            (f)

The word "Righteousness " also applies

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

 6. And Jesus answering said unto him, ___(a)____it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to __(b)___ all _____(c)________. Then he ___(d)______him (Matt 3:15).

    Ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c)

            (d)

 7. For John came unto you in the __(a)__of ____(b)_________, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, ___(c)_____ not afterward, that ye might believe him (Matt 21:32).

    Ans: (a) 

            (b)

            (c)

 C.  Rightelusness is used of what God requires of us:

 8. But seek ye first the ___(a)______ of _(b)____, and his ______(c)_______; and all these things shall be added unto you (Matt 6:33).

    Ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c)

9.  But if our ______(a)________ commend the ____(b)________  of  __(c)___, what shall we say? Is God ____(c)_______ who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) (Rom 3:5)

    Ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c) 

            (d)

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 _____(a)_________ through faith in his blood, to declare his ____(b)_______ for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his _____(c)_______: that he might be _(d)___, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus (Rom 3:25-26).

    Ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c)

            (d)

We see here the very close connection between being righteous and being just.

11. Using a good Bible dictionary, Define “propitiation.”

 http://www.antioch.com.sg/cgi-bin/bible/vines/find_term.pl

    Ans.

12. “For when for the time ye ought to be ____(a)______, 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___(b)___, and not of ___(c)____ __(d)____. 13 For every one that useth milk is __(e)____ in the __(f)___ of  ____(g)_________: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by __(h)______ of __(i)___ have their __(j)_____ ____(k)______ to discern both ____(l)______ and ___(m)____” (Heb 5:12-14).

    Ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c)

            (d)

            (e)

            (f) 

            (g)

            (h)

             (i)

             (j) 

             (k)

             (l)

            (m)

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).

13. This is further emphasized in this passage:

He that ____(a)_______ me, and ___(b)_______ __(c)____ my ___(d)_____, hath one that _______(e)________ him: the _____(f)______ that I have ______(g)______, the same shall ______(h)______ him in the last day (John 12:48).

    Ans.: (a)

            (b)

            (c)

            (d)

            (e)

            (f)

            (g)

            (h)

14. T/F   The standard of judgment will be the word of His righteousness.

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. The Bible teaches that Satan will deceive: “. . . with all _____(a)_____ of ______(b)_______ in them that perish; because they _____(c)__________ ___(d)___ a love of the ___(e)_____, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should ___(f)_____ a __(g)_____.  12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in ______(h)______”  (2 Thess 2:10-12)

    Ans.:    (a) 

                (b) 

                (c)

                (d)

                (e) 

                (f)

                (g) 

                (h)

16.  Why are those who will perish able to be deceived by Satan? _______________

__________________________________________________________________.