Three Kinds of Righteousness
Note: There are many dimensions to the biblical concept of righteousness. They come from several Greek and Hebrew words.
1. "Self Righteousness" = Totally dependent on man’s performance
Matt 12:1-2 At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath through the grain fields, and His disciples became hungry and began to pick the heads of grain and eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, "Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on a Sabbath." (NAS)
Matt 15:2 "Why do Your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread." (NAS)
Job 32:1 Then these three men ceased answering Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. (NAS)
2. "Cleansing Righteousness" = Totally dependent on Christ’s performance
Ps 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. (NAS)
3. "Spirit Led Righteousness" = Totally dependent on God working through us.
Rom 2:13-16 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) NIV
Rom 8:3-6 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. NIV
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NAS)
Gal 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (NAS)
1 Thess 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. NIV
2 Tim 4:8 Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing. NIV
Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NAS)
Note: Jesus is the only one who has been able to be perfect "continuously"
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained {it}, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. (NAS)
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Last Revision of this site was Jan 11, 2024......by Wayne