A sincere desire to please God by keeping his law is both commanded and approved by him. However, human fallibility means that true righteousness must be the product of the Holy Spirit's work in the believer.
Righteousness includes keeping the laws of God
Deuteronomy 6:25; Job 27:6; 1 John 3:7 See also Genesis 6:9 Noah; Genesis 18:19 Abraham; Deuteronomy 6:17–18; 1 Kings 3:6 David; 1 Kings 15:11; 2 Chronicles 31:20 Hezekiah; Psalm 7:8, Psalm 15:1–5, Psalm 17:1, Psalm 32:11, Psalm 45:7; Isaiah 26:7–9, Isaiah 48:18, Isaiah 51:1; Hosea 14:9; Luke 2:25 Simeon; Acts 4:19; 2 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Timothy 3:15–16
And if we are careful to observe every one of these commandments before the LORD our God, as He has commanded us, then that will be our righteousness.”
I will cling to my righteousness and never let go. As long as I live, my conscience will not accuse me.
Little children, let no one deceive you: The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as Christ is righteous.
God requires righteousness of his people
Amos 5:24; Matthew 6:33 See also Isaiah 1:16–17, Isaiah 56:1; Jeremiah 22:3; Hosea 10:12; Zephaniah 2:3; Matthew 5:6; Ephesians 6:14; 1 Timothy 6:11; 2 Timothy 2:22
But let justice roll on like a river, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
God loves those who are righteous
Psalm 146:8; Proverbs 15:9; James 1:20 See also Psalm 1:5–6, Psalm 14:5, Psalm 33:5, Psalm 37:6, Psalm 37:28–30, Psalm 106:3; Proverbs 10:16
the LORD opens the eyes of the blind, the LORD lifts those who are weighed down, the LORD loves the righteous.
The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.
for man’s anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.
The righteous receive blessing from God
Proverbs 12:28; Matthew 13:43 See also Psalm 5:12, Psalm 34:15 the LORD watches over them; Psalm 37:16–17, Psalm 55:22, Psalm 92:12, Psalm 112:4; Proverbs 10:2–3, Proverbs 10:6–7, Proverbs 10:16, Proverbs 10:29–32 they are secure; Proverbs 11:4–6; Isaiah 3:10, Isaiah 33:15–16; Daniel 12:3; James 5:16 their prayers are effective
There is life in the path of righteousness, but another path leads to death.
Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
The righteous may suffer for their faith
Matthew 5:10 See also Psalm 94:21; Isaiah 57:1; Amos 2:6, Amos 5:12; 1 Peter 3:14
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.