Do you really think you are "better" than others?

Do you really think you are "better" than others?

Self-righteousness = "confident of one's own righteousness, esp. when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others."

In Isaiah 64:6 we read: " But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away." The term "filthy rags" that is referred to comes from the Hebrew 'ed' for filthy and refers primarily to results of a woman's menstrual cycle and the word for rags, 'beged' refers to just that, a vestment, a garment, rags, treachery. Put the words together and the result does not paint a pleasing picture but accurately describes how G-d views man's vain attempts at self-righteousness. As we can see, this Scripture does not say our EVILNESS is as filthy rags, but our RIGHTEOUSNESSES are as filthy rags!

Jesus, knowing the Law's purpose, used the Law to demonstrate our hopelessness in regards to holiness through the Law. Jesus pointed this out to us in Matthew 5:21-22, "You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder' and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." And verse 27-28: "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart." Again we read in James 2:10, "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." Indeed, the Law was given to us to dramatically prove to all that no one is righteous -- no, not anyone!

For those who want to have an appearance of "holiness of themselves", Jesus had this to say in Matthew 23:25-28, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you too outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." Still want to say how much more "holy" you are because you are not doing some "bad thing" or giving more than your brethren?

If there is anything that is more destructive to Christianity, it is a person who thinks that they can be righteous by their own good works. The Bible says that all people are sinners and that none can meet G-d's standard for righteousness. Both the Old Testament and New Testament say that righteousness comes from G-d alone. Righteousness for human beings is purely on the basis of faith in G-d's promises. Accordingly, the Old Testament says that G-d would send the Messiah as the source through whom righteousness would come to mankind. The New Testament says that Jesus of Nazareth is that Messiah and that righteousness comes only through faith in Him. So, a person is declared righteous based only upon faith in the sacrifice of Jesus. The Old Testament even indicates that Abraham was considered righteous only because He believed G-d. The New Testament indicates that one does not become righteous by obeying G-d's laws, but only by the mercy of G-d through the sacrifice of His Son. So, righteousness for a Christian is something that is given by G-d and one can never be "self-righteous" unless they personally deny the redemptive work of G-d. When you say that any of G-d's anointed are wrong - you are slapping G-d in the face! G-d is the author and finisher of all of our faith. G-d starts a work in us and He and He alone finishes that work. G-d is the Creator we are the creation. In John 6:29 we read: "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of G-d, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." G-d said vengeance is mine - I will repay!" He does not need any help dear one!

Religious people prompted by Satan always attack whoever G-d sends and/or whatever G-d is doing - we are not fighting flesh and blood but demonic forces. When the Lord Jesus, healed people on the Sabbath. The religious leaders of the Jews ignored the benefit received by the afflicted person who was delivered, and using the law to "prove their point" said that Jesus was evil because He had healed someone on the Sabbath day. Whenever religious people attack and say that someone is wrong "in their opinion" this reveals that they have no true faith in G-d. They might be esteemed among the religious/denominational groups, but they are not esteemed by the Lord. Those who attacked Jesus did not live uprightly. They did not show mercy. They were not walking humbly with G-d and had no idea G-d was actually in their presence. Their "righteous" attempts to "keep the Sabbath" indeed were filthy menstrual rags. In as much as you have done this to the least of my brethren - you have done it unto me!

Galatians 3:1-5 (NASB)– You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain–if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Since righteousness is not from what we do, but the result of what G-d has done for us, a Christian should never act morally superior to anyone. Paul tells that we should never boast "except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." Jesus said that we should not act like we are morally superior to be noticed by others, and even indicated that doing such behavior would remove one's reward in heaven:"Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 6:1) " As I walk daily with the Lord I continually see how my brothers and sisters in Christ are harmed when they are told by other "believers" that they are "not right". Because of these demonic accusations by the religious who refuse to simply obey Jesus' commandment to love one another - there is no agreement and the love of many waxes cold. I have come to believe that of all the mischievous demonic delusions that keep men out of heaven, of all the soul-destroying snares that Satan employs to oppose Jesus church, there is none we find so dangerous, none so successful, as that of self-righteousness! Remember dear one the devil is the "accuser of the brethren"

Self-righteousness is in fact selfish pride - which is the root of all evil. Flee from this demonic inspired pride, dear one! it is fearful to see the harm that it does, and the carelessness with which it is regarded by many in the religious community . When you remember that we are all weak, sinful men, the descendants of fallen Adam, the inheritors of a corrupt nature, how dare we forget our own countless sins, shortcomings and backslidings, to begin again to trust in oneself, and to accuse and/or despise those who are our brethren according to the flesh. And Jesus spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple complex to pray ; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican (tax collector). The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, G-d, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess . And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying , G-d be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased ; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." (Luke 8:9-14).

This parable tells us there was one point on which the Pharisee and the tax collector were agreed—one point which they had in common: "They both went up into the temple to pray." They were like the first worshipers recorded in the Bible - Cain and Abel, but, there was a mighty difference between the two of them—for G-d, accepted the sacrifice of the one—but rejected that of the other. Both these men, "went up to the temple to pray," and yet how fearfully the parable ends! Jesus had just been speaking of the necessity of constant prayer, in the parable of the unjust judge, and immediately, without anything happening to break the thread of His teaching on prayer, He adds the parable of these two in the Temple. Jesus adds this to show us that, however important prayer may be, we are not to suppose that all who pray will be forgiven.

All are not Israel, who are called Israel. All are not Christians who say they are. All are not acceptable worshipers who are found in the temples of the Most High or the denominational churches of the Lord. Some come as Pharisees, and some as tax collectors; some appear with a broken and a contrite heart, such as the Lord will not despise, and others with an unhumbled and self-righteous spirit, wise in their own eyes and pure in their own sight—the sacrifice of all such is abominable in the sight of G-d. Dear one, you should always try to bear in mind that "the Lord sees not as man sees, for man looks on the outward appearance—but the Lord looks on the heart"; that to Him "all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Him no secrets are hidden!"

The PHARISEES were the strictest sect among the Jews: "I was of the strictest sect of the Pharisees," says Paul. They prayed often—which was very right—but they also made long prayers for a pretense, and they would pray at the corners of the streets where two roads met, that they might be seen by people going and coming both ways and so get a name for uncommon sanctity. The Pharisees loved the praise of men more than the praise of G-d. Our Lord said: "that they gave tithe of mint, anise, and cummin, while they neglected the weightier matters of the law—justice, mercy and truth"; and He compared them "to whitened sepulchers, which outwardly appear beautiful before men—but inwardly are filled with dead men's bones and all corruption." They "made broad the borders of their phylacteries," they had pieces of parchment sewed to the edge of their long robes, on which some texts of Scripture were written, that people might see them and infer that they were great lovers of the law of G-d. They were very strict about outward purifications, and set great value on the washing of pots, brazen vessels and tables, and many other such-like things that they did. They were particularly zealous for the traditions of the fathers, and for the observation of the rites and ceremonies of the Church, and yet they often made the law of G-d void by their traditions. They were exceeding exact in the outward observation of the Sabbath—so much so that they called our Lord a sinner, and said he was not of G-d, because on the Sabbath day He had healed a man who was born blind. And for all these reasons they were held in high esteem by the people; for religious men always prefer the things of sight to the hidden things of faith, and think more of outward service than of heart; they had the uppermost places in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces, and were called of men Rabbi. In short, they got such a reputation for piety, that it became a proverb among the Jews, that if there were but two men saved, one of them must be a Pharisee. Such were the Pharisees.

But what was the character given to the TAX COLLECTORS? It was very different in every respect. They were generally Jews who were employed to collect the Roman taxes. And as the Jews always disliked to pay tribute to the Gentiles, their office as tax collectors was looked upon as disgraceful and disreputable. Besides this, it is pretty clear that they used to exact much more than their due, and to amass much wealth by false accusations, to the great disgust of their fellow-countrymen. On these accounts they were so universally notorious, that our Lord Himself tells His disciples that if any man would not listen to the church, he must be to them as a heathen man and a tax collector. The enemies of Jesus thought it a heavy charge against Him that He was a friend of tax collectors and sinners; and in one place we find the tax collectors and harlots mentioned together, as people of like reputation. Our Lord could not have chosen two examples more unlike each other than a Pharisee and a tax collector. One is of great repute with his fellow-creatures, while the other is peculiarly offensive—but who did G-d accept? Jesus did not spend a lot of time with religious people - He was a friend of sinners.

"In many things we offend all," says James. "Who can tell how often he offends? O cleanse me from my secret faults," is the language of the psalmist. "By the deeds of the law shall no flesh living be justified." But the religious Pharisee, proves himself to be a child of the devil by usurping Satan's office—he becomes an accuser of his brethren. "I am not as other men are—or even as this tax collector."Dear One, I have often heard people who call themselves Christians accuse their brethren by saying things like:: " I do not swear, drink or smoke or commit adultery. I do not chew gum in church like the others do. I am against working on Sunday. I do not drink caffeine. I do not dance or go to the movies. I do not believe in loud music. Well, at any rate I am no worse than my neighbors: I am thankful I do not drink, like such a one next door. I am no fornicator, like such a one down the way. I do not miss church altogether, like such a one who lives down the road." Listen to me, dear one: is not this the very mind of the Pharisee? You are not to touch G-d's anointed—if you judge others as this Pharisee did then you will meet with the Pharisee's reception at the hand of G-d. You are to love one another not to judge or critique one another!

Listen to the plea of the TAX COLLECTOR. "He smote upon his bosom, saying, G-d be merciful to me a sinner." He does not say "Be merciful to all sinners," thus leaving it doubtful whether he means himself or not—but "Be merciful to me," a sinner in whom there is no health, in whom there is no good thing—a sinner in thought, word and deed; and he gives the ground of his hope too, not like some among you, who hope to be forgiven without exactly knowing how or why. The words translated "be merciful," go further. They mean, "offer an atonement for me, be reconciled unto me, through the sacrifice You have appointed." Do you think he would have been offended, as some are now, if he had been called a child of the devil, utterly corrupt, full of iniquity and worthy of nothing but wrath? Far from it: he knew he was a sinner, he felt his lost condition, he made no excuses, he offered no justification, he did not talk about his temptations, he did not make excuses, he did not make great professions of amendment, as if that could make up for the past; he presented himself at the throne of grace, as he was, weary and heavy laden, casting himself on the mercy of G-d with all his iniquities, and pleading the blood of the atonement. "G-d be merciful to me a sinner." Blessed indeed are all among you who have done likewise!

"I tell you," says Jesus, "this man went down to his house justified rather than the other." The tax collector came poor in spirit, and he was justified. The Pharisee, rich in merits and self-esteem, went empty away. The penitent was not only pardoned—but justified. He had left his house heavy and afflicted by a sense of sin, he returned with joy and peace; he had asked mercy and received it, he had sought grace and found it; he had come hungering and thirsting after righteousness and he was justified. "He went down to his house justified." But the proud Pharisee, not feeling his own needs, not acquainted with his own sinfulness, had sought no mercy, and had found none, and he departed unblessed and unheard; and from the saying the "tax collector went down to his house justified rather than the other," we may fairly suppose this man of self-righteousness and self-dependence had none of that sense of favor and acceptance which the repenting sinner enjoyed.

"Everyone who exalts himself shall be abased—but he who abases himself shall be exalted." Mark these words, "everyone who exalts himself." High or low, rich or poor, young or old, it matters not; for G-d is no respecter of people, "everyone who exalts himself" and not free grace; who trusts either in whole or in part in his own righteousness and performance and not entirely in Jesus Christ—though he go to church twice a day, though he keep the letter of the Ten Commandments, though he gives everything to the poor, though he is sober and moral and decently behaved—everyone who exalts himself shall be abased and condemned, when Jesus Christ shall come to judge. Only "he who humbles himself "as a sinner before G-d and comes unto Christ, though he may have been the most wicked of transgressors, though he may have broken all the commandments, though he may have been a Sabbath-breaker, a drunkard, a thief, an adulterer, an extortioner—whatever his sin may have been, if he acts as the tax collector did, "he shall be exalted." That is—he shall be pardoned, and washed and sanctified and justified for the sake of Jesus Christ, and shall have his place with David and Manasseh and Mary Magdalene and the thief upon the cross—in the everlasting kingdom of our Lord G-d and of His Lamb.

You cannot search your heart too diligently, for this self-righteousness is the subtlest enemy of all. Beware of thinking, as the devil would have you, that this parable is for somebody else—but not you. Be sure in this way you will lose your own soul. The Pharisee was not rejected because he was a moral man—but because he was proud and self-righteous; the tax collector was not accepted because he was a sinner—but because he was eminently penitent. True repentance is necessary for all, whatever be their lives and outward conduct. It is not your morality and your virtues, O you Pharisees, which hinder your salvation—but that proud feeling of something worthy in yourselves, which prevents you from clinging simply and entirely to the cross and blood of Jesus Christ. "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut off the kingdom of heaven from people; for you do not enter in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense you make long prayers; therefore you will receive greater condemnation.] “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel around on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.“Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, that is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple is obligated.’ “You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, that is nothing, but whoever swears by the offering on it, he is obligated.’ “You blind men, which is more important, the offering, or the altar that sanctifies the offering? “Therefore, whoever swears by the altar, swears both by the altar and by everything on it. “And whoever swears by the temple, swears both by the temple and by Him who dwells within it. “And whoever swears by heaven, swears both by the throne of G-d and by Him who sits upon it. “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. "You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. “You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. “So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ “So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. “Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?“Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. “Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation. (Matthew 23:13-36)

In Romans 14:10-13 we read: "But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to G-d. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to G-d. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.

We are to Build-up not Tear Down - The text tells us not to tear down our brethren through criticism or judgment, as this can pose a serious stumbling-block and cause irreparable damage to their faith. Among G-d’s warnings to us in scripture, there are none more somber or serious than His warning to not become a stumbling block to His followers. In Matthew 18:6 we read: "But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." We tend to judge others by their actions, while we judge ourselves by our intentions. We cannot rightly judge anyone else, because we do not know the contents of their heart. We should be content to judge only ourselves and seek to bring our own lives in alignment with G-d’s Word. In 1 Corinthians 11:31 we read: "For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged."

The Profile of a Critical Spirit - The only criticism that is ever constructive is that which is expressed in love to “build up,” not to tear down - it is always expressed face-to-face, never behind their back or in front of others. The person with a critical spirit usually dwells on the negative, seeks for flaws rather than good. They’re a complainer, usually always upset, and generally have a problem or a complaint about something. They often have little control over their tongue, their temper, and have tendencies for gossip and slander, which Paul said were sins “worthy of death” (Rom. 1:29-32). A Christian’s tongue should never be used for anything but good. In Ephesians 4:29 we read: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Satan - the Devil specializes in influencing divisive behaviors. He always uses a self-righteous. complaining, judgmental or critical attitude to stir up turmoil, dissension and strife within the body of Christ (Eph. 6:12). We must be on guard that none of us would be used as a tool of the Devil to bring accusations, harassments or discouragements upon our brothers or sisters through criticism, as the Bible warns us not to “give place” to the Devil (Eph. 4:27). Remember that Satan is specifically called “the accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10). Are you an accuser of the brethren dear one?

The Ministry of Encouragement - The Bible says that the reason that we are to come together is, not to criticize, but to “exhort” (encourage) one another (Hebrews 10:25). “Cursing the darkness” won’t change anything, but we must light a candle and “expose the light” of G-d’s Word. By sharing the truth of G-d’s Word, loving one another, encouraging people to live in its truth, and praying for one another - people will change. Love and encouragement is a “motivational force.” If we ever hope to bring improvement in others, we need to become people of encouragement. This is the only attitude that will change people, and our actions and words must be devoted to encouraging the spiritual progress of our brethren and Jesus' true church.

Dear One, Be not Conformed to this World - it is full of criticism - there are whole industries in our culture today that thrive on nothing more than the art of criticizing… Political commentators....Art Critics… Movie Critics… Fashion Police… Politic Pundits… Tabloid Journalism… Talk Shows… News Castors... Newspapers... Television... Magazines... books... blogs... Denominations... etc. Be daily transformed by the renewing of your Minds, pray in tongues, ask for the mind of Christ, talk with G-d, apologize, learn to control your tongue, strengthen your resolve with the renewing of the Holy Ghost. The Bible doesn’t promise peace to those who discover and then dwell on the faults of others! It says that the Lord will keep them in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on Him!



Scriptures that indicate how we can stop being self-righteous or critical of one another.

"This is my commandment that ye love one another!" (Jesus)"And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?" (Matthew 7:3)
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)
"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." (2 Corinthians 10:12)
"Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." (1 Timothy 5:19)
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses." (Mark 11:25)
" And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
"The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men To see if there are any who understand, Who seek after G-d. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one." (Psalm 14:2-3)
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of G-d" (Romans 3:23)
"as it is written, There is none righteous, not even one;" (Romans 3:10)
"They will say of Me, 'Only in the LORD are righteousness and strength.' Men will come to Him, And all who were angry at Him will be put to shame. (Isaiah 45:24)
"I bring near My righteousness, it is not far off; And My salvation will not delay. And I will grant salvation in Zion, And My glory for Israel. (Isaiah 46:13)
"My righteousness is near, My salvation has gone forth, And My arms will judge the peoples; The coastlands will wait for Me, And for My arm they will wait expectantly. (Isaiah 51:5)
"Lift up your eyes to the sky, Then look to the earth beneath; For the sky will vanish like smoke, And the earth will wear out like a garment And its inhabitants will die in like manner; But My salvation will be forever, And My righteousness will not wane. (Isaiah 51:6)
"For the moth will eat them like a garment, And the grub will eat them like wool. But My righteousness will be forever, And My salvation to all generations." (Isaiah 51:8)
and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to G-d as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:13)
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of G-d? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. (Galatians 3:21)
For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. (Galatians 5:5)
and put on the new self, which in the likeness of G-d has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. (Ephesians 4:24)
for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of G-d. (James 1:20)
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: (2 Peter 1:1)
For not knowing about G-d's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of G-d. (Romans 10:3)
And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And His righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness like a breastplate, And a helmet of salvation on His head; And He put on garments of vengeance for clothing And wrapped Himself with zeal as a mantle. (Isaiah 59:16-17)
The nations will see your righteousness, And all kings your glory; And you will be called by a new name Which the mouth of the LORD will designate. (Isaiah 62:2)
"Behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "When I will raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. "In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness.' (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
'In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch of David to spring forth; and He shall execute justice and righteousness on the earth. 'In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will dwell in safety; and this is the name by which she will be called: the LORD is our righteousness.' (Jeremiah 33:15-16)
"Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. (Daniel 9:24)
even the righteousness of G-d through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; (Romans 3:22)
whom G-d displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of G-d He passed over the sins previously committed; (Romans 3:25)
for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:26)
For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. (Romans 5:17-18)so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from G-d, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30)
"YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE G-D, YOUR G-D, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE YOUR COMPANIONS." (Hebrews 1:9)
For in it the righteousness of G-d is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." (Romans 1:17)
For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED G-D, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Romans 4:3)
But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness, (Romans 4:5)
just as David also speaks of the blessing on the man to whom G-d credits righteousness apart from works: (Romans 4:6)
Is this blessing then on the circumcised, or on the uncircumcised also? For we say, "FAITH WAS CREDITED TO ABRAHAM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Romans 4:9)
and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them, (Romans 4:11)
For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. (Romans 4:13)
If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)
What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; (Romans 9:30)
having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:11)
For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. (Galatians 5:5)
By faith Noah, being warned by G-d about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. (Hebrews 11:7)
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of G-d in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Then he believed in the LORD; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)
but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. (Romans 9:31)
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)
For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. (Romans 10:5)
But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down), (Romans 10:6)
for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:10)
"I do not nullify the grace of G-d, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (Galatians 2:21)
Is the Law then contrary to the promises of G-d? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. (Galatians 3:21)
and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, (Philippians 3:9)
He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5)
and He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of G-d; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14)
in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8)
But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living G-d, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to G-d, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, (Hebrews 12:22-23)
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up. But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:12-13)
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. (2 Peter 1:5-7)
"Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the LORD, and wrath may not come on you and your brethren. Thus you shall do and you will not be guilty. (2 Chronicles 19:10)