The Righteousness of God

From: The Christian Shepherd: 2000 By: Richard "Dick" K. Gorgas

Romans 1:1‑17 • 2 min. read • grade level: 8

A lot of confusion exists among Christians about the term “the righteousness of God.” In Paul’s introduction in the Epistle to the Romans (ch. 1:1-17), we read that in the gospel of God is revealed “the righteousness of God . . . from faith to faith,” or “on the principle of faith, to faith” (JND). Many understand the righteousness of God to be the personal righteousness of the walk of the Lord Jesus in His life here below imputed to—put to the account of—the believer when he believes. There is no biblical evidence for this.

I believe it is clear from Romans that righteousness is God’s perfect consistency with what He is in His nature when He saves the sinner. God makes no compromise with His character as light in justifying him that is of the “faith of Jesus” (Rom. 3:22²²Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:22)).

The perfect, holy walk of the Lord Jesus here is not in question (Heb. 4:15¹⁵For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) JND). Because of His perfect, sinless life, He is the spotless Victim who satisfied the claims of a thrice-holy God on the cross. Any who would deny the sinless humanity of the Saviour would indeed be guilty of solemn doctrinal error. There would be no Saviour and no gospel, if the Lord Jesus were not the spotless Man.

However, the Lord’s sinless life would only condemn me. What saves me is His obedience unto death, offering Himself without spot to God for my guilt (Heb. 9:14¹⁴How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14)). That obedience constitutes me righteous before God, so God then is “just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus” (Rom. 3:26²⁶To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26)).

This righteousness is “[apart from] law” (Rom. 3:21²¹But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; (Romans 3:21)). If our justification were based on the Lord’s keeping the law for us, then “righteousness [would be] by the law,” which Scripture says it is not (Gal. 3:21²¹Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. (Galatians 3:21)).

While we do not, of course, get doctrine from hymns, the following hymn by Albert Midlane seems to summarize the apostles’ doctrine regarding “righteousness” which Paul presents in Romans:

The perfect righteousness of God

Is witnessed in the Saviour’s blood;

’Tis in the cross of Christ we trace

His righteousness, yet wondrous grace.

God could not pass the sinner by;

His sin demands that he must die;

But in the cross of Christ we see

How God can save, yet righteous be.

The sin is on the Saviour laid,

’Tis in His blood sin’s debt is paid;

Stern justice can demand no more,

And mercy can dispense her store.