The Bible says that
righteousness is an attribute of God (Philippians 3:9; 1 John 3:10;
Psalm 98:2). We are to seek God's righteousness as a priority in our own
lives (Matthew 6:33; Romans 6:13; 1 Timothy 6:11; 1 John 2:29; 3:7). If
we do not practice righteousness we cannot rightly claim to belong to
God (1 John 3:10). God has a special love in His heart for those who
have loved righteousness (Hebrews 1:9). They will be blessed from God
(Matthew 5:6; Psalm 106:3).
The Bible says that the
prayers of those who strive to be righteous will be heard (James 5:16).
God says that when righteousness is an attribute of any nation of people
it exalts them, or makes their character stand out before others
(Proverbs 14:34).
The Bible says in
Deuteronomy 6:24-25, "And the LORD commanded us to observe all these
statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might
preserve us alive, as <it is> this day. {25} 'Then it will be
righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these
commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us." This is
the best possible definition of righteousness. God leads us in
righteousness if we allow Him to (Psalm 23:3).
The Bible says that
when the Spirit of God dwells within us that the fruit produced by the
Spirit is done so in righteousness (Ephesians 4:24; 5:9; Galatians
5:22-23). When this happens are our lives become filled with
righteousness which is clearly evident to everyone we come in contact
with (Philippians 1:11, 27-29; Psalm 40:10).
The Bible says that God
will one day judge all people with righteousness (Psalm 96:13). The Lord
Jesus has made Himself a fit judge for mankind because when He was on
the earth He did everything to fulfill the righteousness of God,
including His being baptized (Matthew 3:14-16).
To those who choose to
live unrighteously or sinfully the topic of righteousness either bores
or scares them to death. When Paul preached to Felix about righteousness
and the judgment to come the Bible says that Felix trembled or was
afraid (Acts 24:25). If we do not submit ourselves to the righteousness
of God we have much to fear and dread in facing judgment (Romans
1:18-32; 10:1-4; 2 Peter 2:21).