Our Infinitely Pure Righteous God Series

Knowing God Series #8

“Our Infinitely Pure Righteous God”

Introduction

Hosea the prophet called the people of God to return to Him from a state of distraction.

He promised healing and restoration if they would press on to know the Lord. That is just what we have been trying to do this summer in a series of messages on the attributes or character of God.

I. The nature of God

II. The Attributes of God

A. God is infinitely GREAT in His ability / capacity

B. God is infinitely PURE in His morality

1. God is HOLY

He is infinitely separated from all that is contrary to His own moral character and law.

2. God is RIGHTEOUS / JUST

Every person has a God-ingrained desire to be right to live uprightly. This internal desire to live right stems from being created de in Gods’ image. Mankind works hard at trying to be right even if he has to adjust the standard of measure. Every group and society develops a standard of behavior. Even gangs demand adherence to a code. The only group that society condemns for calling people to a code of behavior is Christians. The declaration of God’s righteousness and the necessity of all who would approach Him to be righteous, resound through the Scriptures as loudly as the holiness of God and insistence on holiness in His followers.

This is the core of the Gospel message. It is the companion doctrine to holiness. It means to “cut straight”, to conform to a standard. The translators usually translate the terms into one of two English words: “Righteous” and “Just”. Other forms of the same root appear as righteousness, justice righteously, justly, justify, justification. It has to with conforming to a set standard.

These references appear just as often as the root related to holiness.

Police may be heard to declare, “It was a righteous bust.” They mean that the arrest conformed to every policy and standard adopted by the police force. To “justify one’s actions” is to explain how our actions perfectly conformed to accepted standards. Holy actions are those actions which do not violate accepted standards. Righteous actions are those which fully comply with accepted standards.

God expects His followers to absolutely avoid anything He asks us not to do. (Be holy)

Don’t steal, lie, murder, hate, judge, quarrel, gossip, grumble, dispute. That is what it means to live holy.

God also expects us to perfectly conform to everything He asks us to do. (Be righteous)

Love without hypocrisy. Share with those in need. Humble yourselves. Give your bodies a living sacrifice. Forgive, forbear, encourage. Love the Lord with all your heart. That is what it means to live righteously. Why? Because God is Righteous and Holy. God perfectly conforms to His own standard. God infinitely avoids everything that does not conform to His own moral standard. God practices EVERTHING He requires. He perfectly practices what He preaches. How refreshing!

We live in a culture of rampant unrighteousness. We live in a culture where justice stumbles in the streets. It’s nothing new.

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the street, and uprightness cannot enter. Isaiah 59:14

Roam to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and look now and take note. And seek in her open squares, if you can find a man, if there is one who does justice, who seeks truth, then I will pardon her. Jeremiah 5:1

Biblical Declarations of God’s Righteousness

The Scripture declares that God is righteous. He absolutely conforms to His own moral and ethical standard. He IS the standard of what is right. There is an absolute standard and it is God.

He declares it. He lives it. He cannot do otherwise. It is who He is.

The Lord is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him. Psalm 92:15

The LORD is righteous, and he loves justice. Those who do what is right will see his face. Psalm 11:7

Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is righteous altogether. Psalm 19:9

Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O LORD. Psalm 36:6

As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth. Your strong right hand is filled with righteousness. Psalm 48:10

I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me. I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign LORD. I will tell everyone that you alone are righteous and good. Psalm 71:15-16

Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God? Psalm 71:19