The Link Between Faithfulness and Righteousness in the Bible
“Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city” Isaiah 1: 26b.
Righteousness Is Equated with Faithfulness in the Bible
Righteousness is often equated with faithfulness in scripture. Here are a few other examples: “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help” Psalm 40: 10.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1: 9.
To read the whole passage for context, click here.
As stated by Strong’s Bible Concordance, the word faithful in the verse can mean of long continuance, steadfast, sure.
And according to James 1: 3, 4 in order to be “perfect and complete lacking in nothing” we must first have steadfastness or strength.
“For you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”.
Perfection is simply perfect steadfastness or strength. Anyone can do the right thing once in a while. When they feel like it or when it’s easy, when everyone is doing it. Or the reward is imminent and obvious.
Righteousness Is Consistency in the Bible
A person who is truly righteous is faithful in righteousness. We do the right thing whether we feel like it or not, whether anyone else sees us or is doing it, whether the reward is forthcoming or not, whether it’s easy or hard.
Doing the right thing inconsistently is not righteousness. Righteousness is being steadfast in doing what’s right consistently, despite the cost.
If we quit and give up when it gets hard, we’re not righteous in that area. Righteousness isn’t really revealed when we’re swimming with the current but against it. Trials reveal true righteousness. And also provide an opportunity to gain the steadfastness that produces it.
It’s only in trial, difficulty and testing that righteousness is revealed. Because it’s only in those situations that we have an opportunity to faithfully do the right thing even though it’s hard.
Righteousness isn’t really as much about doing great exploits and making unusual sacrifices as it faithfully doing the right thing day after day in ordinary everyday trials and hassles of life.
It’s continuing to do and say and think the right things when the kids act up, the finances are tight, the spouse isn’t meeting our needs and we’ve been hurt by a friend. It’s simply being faithful in doing what’s right no matter what.
We Get to Choose to Learn the Easy Way or the Hard Way
And one thing I’ve discovered the hard way is if we’re overcoming temptation in these little everyday trials and hassles of life; we won’t have to go through really hard, painful trials to learn the lesson.
We get to choose to learn either the easy way or the hard way. Jesus addresses this idea in the parable of the sower. The harvest or fruit is love or righteousness.
“As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty” Mathew 13: 20-23.
The harvest, or fruit is love or righteousness. And it’s only produced by the seed that endures difficulties. The seed sown in rocky ground represents the person who does the right thing until it gets hard. This person will not reap a harvest of righteousness.
The seed choked by the thorns also represents the person who does the right thing for a while. But his righteousness is eventually choked by the cares and worries and riches of this life. This seed also dies. It doesn’t mature to produce a harvest of righteousness.
The One Who Gives Up or Is Distracted Is Unfaithful
Both of these have proved unfaithful. The seed sown in the good soil represents the person who perseveres in righteousness. Even when it gets hard. He perseveres in doing the right thing despite cares and worries and riches.
This person then eventually produces a harvest of righteousness because he is faithful. He doesn’t give up when it’s hard. He doesn’t allow himself to be distracted by worldly pursuits.
Ultimately, He endures in doing what’s right until that thing is perfected, and he is righteous in that area. This is the link between faithfulness and righteousness in the Bible.
To read another post related to The Link Between Faithfulness and Righteousness In the Bible, see What Does the Bible Say About Perspective?