RIGHTEOUS

Righteous is the state or quality of being right. (a) Only Deity is righteous in the absolute sense (Rom. 3:10). To speak of the righteousness of God is to affirm his absolute morality, and the expectation he entertains for purity in those fashioned in his image (Gen. 17:1; 1 Pet. 1:15). God will judge consistent with his own character (Psa. 9:4), and he will always do that which is right (Gen. 18:25). When one is inclined to wonder how the Creator will fairly judge humanity, this concept must be borne in mind. On the final day of history, the revelation of the "righteous judgment of God" will shine in such brilliance that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess his glory (Rom. 2:5; 14:11). (b) Jehovah's righteousness is set forth in the gospel (Rom. 1:16-17). When one submits to the requirements of the gospel (Rom. 6:17), the atoning effect of Christ's death cancels all his past sins and Heaven accounts to him the status of being "righteous" (Rom. 3:21ff; Phil. 3:9). (c) The Christian will never reach a state of absolute righteousness as long as he abides in the flesh (Rom. 7:14ff; Phil. 3:12-13), but, in a relative sense, he is viewed as righteous (cf. Jas. 5:16).