How do we increase in righteousness?

[Jeff4607]

Did "Job" see the good in everything? Did "John the Baptist" see good in everything? He called people vipers!
I would caution you to be careful and not to substitute your righteousness for the righteousness of God. That's what was wrong with the Religious Leaders of the times.

When a righteous man turns away from his righteousness, commits iniquity, and dies in it, it is because of the iniquity which he has done that he dies.
Ezekiel 18:26

 

[Andrew Petrovski]

I think that we grow in the righteousness by understanding the righteousness.

 

[Jeff4607]

It doesn't matter what we think. The Bible says "our faith is credited as righteousness".

 

[ViaCrucis]

You have misunderstood the scripture you recite.
Faith is not the gift here, salvation is. You could read the sentence this way, "Through YOUR FAITH you have been saved by grace, and this is not your own doing, or WORKS. Salvation is the gift of God so that no one may boast."
You have also misunderstood the definition of work. Mowing the lawn, shoveling snow, "or in this context" following the mosaic "laws of sacrifice" are examples of work. Work is labor.
Faith, on the other hand, is our response to Gods invitation to come nearer to Him.
We must have faith, for through faith comes grace and salvation.
"Therefore produce fruit that proves your repentance," says John the baptist. Is "producing fruit" works?

The Greek word there is ergon, which refers to work, act, effort. Anything that we do is work. If the faith is something we do, then that is of ourselves and we would have occasion to boast. Faith is a gift, the Apostle says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ", faith is not something we offer, or contribute, or do; faith is not something we have already in us by which we can turn to God in our own strength to please Him; faith is what God gives us, it is God's work, God's gift.

If faith is "my part" then I have something to boast in don't I? After all I helped, I contributed, I met God halfway and we did this me getting saved thing together, so I should get at least some credit for it.

But that's not what the Apostle says. The Apostle says we have nothing to boast about, because this isn't of ourselves, it is the gift of God--the whole thing, all of it, every last bit of it is God's gift, God's work, and thus we can; as he says elsewhere, boast in nothing save for the cross of Jesus Christ.

Christ has done everything.
I've done nothing.
Glory to Him alone.
Solus Christus, Soli Deo Gloria.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[throughfiierytrial]

How does our righteous increase?

By seeking God's face always and in all things. We learn of His Will in the Bible and His righteous commands and see we fall miserably short. So with prayer and with following the commands of Love and not gratifying the sinful nature, then by the grace of God we may grow in righteousness. We have and always will have that sinful nature while we are in this tent as Peter says and so we will continue to sin...not willfully and when we do we cry out for mercy and can be assured we'll find that mercy in Christ who will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

[throughfiierytrial]

It doesn't matter what we think. The Bible says "our faith is credited as righteousness".

Yes, but it says more than just that...a lot in fact.

 

[Johnnz]

Prepositions are notoriously difficulty to translate. For example: Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.NIV

Some respected NT scholars prefer faith of rather than faith in. All we have and know rely upon entirely is the indwelling life of Christ.

Similarly with Rom 3:22-23 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.NIV

"...through the faithfulness of..." 2011 NIV

We are to live out of our relationship with Jesus. not as if we are outside trying to be good enough to get in to His favour

John
NZ

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

How does our righteous increase?

Righteousness doesn't increase. It is a free gift from God that you receive at conversion. It is the righteousness of Christ. The definition of "righteousness" in terms our standing with God is to be acceptable to Him. As soon as we are born again we are acceptable to Him. We have righteousness. I think what you are meaning is how to increase your sanctification. Many confuse the two words and think they mean the same thing. How to increase your sanctification? Read the Word, pray, love others, and love God with all your heart. The Holy Spirit will make sure that your sanctification will increase.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

That's not true. Before I was a believer, there were times when I did what was right.
How was Abraham credited righteous?

But the right things you did were sin before God because the word says that your righteousness was as filthy rags before Him. You were dead in your sins and outside of Christ, therefore the things you thought were right in your eyes was just sinful self-righteousness in His.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

You are exactly right. Many have been taught and believe untruths about righteousness and faith. "It is impossible to please God without faith" and "unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and the Sadducee's, you will never enter the Kingdom." "For everyone who lives on milk is inexperienced in the message of righteousness, because he is an infant."
"Through faith you are saved by grace." "The righteous, by faith will live".
The greater our faith, the greater our righteousness, the greater our righteousness, the more power we have to overcome sin and do the right thing every time.
"When Jesus saw their faith he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
" For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness."

Isn't it odd that we never hear these truths from the professionals. I think it's because many of them enter the fold someway other than the front gate.

Read this link. It may change your definition of righteousness as it pertains to the believer.
Righteousness Definition and Meaning - Bible Dictionary

 

[ranes1]

.

 

[throughfiierytrial]

Righteousness doesn't increase. It is a free gift from God that you receive at conversion. It is the righteousness of Christ. The definition of "righteousness" in terms our standing with God is to be acceptable to Him. As soon as we are born again we are acceptable to Him. We have righteousness. I think what you are meaning is how to increase your sanctification. Many confuse the two words and think they mean the same thing. How to increase your sanctification? Read the Word, pray, love others, and love God with all your heart. The Holy Spirit will make sure that your sanctification will increase.

I believe it does increase based upon some of Christ's teachings. It is all a gift, but it increases just as the mustard seed grows and just as we grow from being an infant in Christ to becoming mature in the faith. Look at the "Kingdom of Heaven" parables in Matthew 13 and elsewhere it is all about growth.
When Jesus speaks in Matthew 5:20 He says, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees...

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I believe it does increase based upon some of Christ's teachings. It is all a gift, but it increases just as the mustard seed grows and just as we grow from being an infant in Christ to becoming mature in the faith. Look at the "Kingdom of Heaven" parables in Matthew 13 and elsewhere it is all about growth.
When Jesus speaks in Matthew 5:20 He says, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees...

You are confusing righteousness with sanctification. Righteousness means being acceptable to God. There is no measure attached to this. We are either acceptable or not acceptable. Our own righteousness based on our good works (before conversion) is not acceptable to God. Once we are converted, we are acceptable because the righteousness of Christ is bestowed on us. Becoming mature in the faith is the development of sanctification which does increase as we go on in the Lord.

 

[1213]

How does our righteous increase?

I have understood that righteousness is like right understanding and attitude, which makes person do good things. Therefore, righteousness can increase, when your understanding of God’s will increases.

 

[frettr00]

As a Catholic, praying the rosary, attending daily mass, and going to regular confession will help a lot. This is what many Catholic saints do.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

I have understood that righteousness is like right understanding and attitude, which makes person do good things. Therefore, righteousness can increase, when your understanding of God’s will increases.

You are talking about sanctification.

 

[throughfiierytrial]

You are confusing righteousness with sanctification. Righteousness means being acceptable to God. There is no measure attached to this. We are either acceptable or not acceptable. Our own righteousness based on our good works (before conversion) is not acceptable to God. Once we are converted, we are acceptable because the righteousness of Christ is bestowed on us. Becoming mature in the faith is the development of sanctification which does increase as we go on in the Lord.

Perhaps, but then you must tell Jesus this as well. He speaks of surpassing righteousness.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Perhaps, but then you must tell Jesus this as well. He speaks of surpassing righteousness.

The surpassing righteousness is His righteousness bestowed as a free gift on those who are converted to Him. the righteousness of the Pharisees depended on them keeping the Law and performing the sacrifices. It lasted only 1 year and then had to be renewed. Read the book of Hebrews which explains it. When Jesus said that the believers' righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees, He meant that they needed a righteousness that did not have to be renewed every year. But the sacrifice of Jesus happened once and for all. This made it possible for our sinfulness to be exchanged for His righteousness which, for the believer, does not have to be renewed every year like that of the Pharisees.

Some people seem to be fixated in the mistaken notion that righteousness is us being good. That is self-righteousness - trying to be acceptable to God through what we can do. But that is sinful and a rejection of Christ. It is an insult to Christ if folks are trying to get into God's good graces by trying to do the right thing. In fact, it is treading the work of Christ, and even Christ Himself underfoot, denying what He did on the Cross for us and thinking we could be right with God by doing good works.

We do the good works because we are righteous, not to become righteous. Developing good works is sanctification, not righteousness.

 

[MDC]

The surpassing righteousness is His righteousness bestowed as a free gift on those who are converted to Him. the righteousness of the Pharisees depended on them keeping the Law and performing the sacrifices. It lasted only 1 year and then had to be renewed. Read the book of Hebrews which explains it. When Jesus said that the believers' righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees, He meant that they needed a righteousness that did not have to be renewed every year. But the sacrifice of Jesus happened once and for all. This made it possible for our sinfulness to be exchanged for His righteousness which, for the believer, does not have to be renewed every year like that of the Pharisees.

Some people seem to be fixated in the mistaken notion that righteousness is us being good. That is self-righteousness - trying to be acceptable to God through what we can do. But that is sinful and a rejection of Christ. It is an insult to Christ if folks are trying to get into God's good graces by trying to do the right thing. In fact, it is treading the work of Christ, and even Christ Himself underfoot, denying what He did on the Cross for us and thinking we could be right with God by doing good works.

We do the good works because we are righteous, not to become righteous. Developing good works is sanctification, not righteousness.

Yes I believe intertwining both sanctification and justification is why there is much confusion on this topic. I agree completely with how you explained it. For a believer, Christ Jesus is our righteousness.. the only acceptable righteousness God justifies a sinner. It is Christ who fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law to bring justification to the believer. Our growth and walk in Christ after conversion is our sanctification

 

[throughfiierytrial]

The surpassing righteousness is His righteousness bestowed as a free gift on those who are converted to Him. the righteousness of the Pharisees depended on them keeping the Law and performing the sacrifices. It lasted only 1 year and then had to be renewed. Read the book of Hebrews which explains it. When Jesus said that the believers' righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees, He meant that they needed a righteousness that did not have to be renewed every year. But the sacrifice of Jesus happened once and for all. This made it possible for our sinfulness to be exchanged for His righteousness which, for the believer, does not have to be renewed every year like that of the Pharisees.

Some people seem to be fixated in the mistaken notion that righteousness is us being good. That is self-righteousness - trying to be acceptable to God through what we can do. But that is sinful and a rejection of Christ. It is an insult to Christ if folks are trying to get into God's good graces by trying to do the right thing. In fact, it is treading the work of Christ, and even Christ Himself underfoot, denying what He did on the Cross for us and thinking we could be right with God by doing good works.

We do the good works because we are righteous, not to become righteous. Developing good works is sanctification, not righteousness.

I know what it is, the point is He speaks of righteousness as though it is found in degrees of different proportions. As for the rest of your thinking I am quite well aware of it and do believe, again, that God credits us with righteousness.

Jesus says in John 17:17:
Sanctify them by Thy Truth; Thy Word is Truth.
Your Statement/Oscarr
It is an insult to Christ if folks are trying to get into God's good graces by trying to do the right thing.
I believe your statement above to be false. It is a trampling on the work of Christ to go on sinning in the face of His passion(see Hebrews 6:8) willful sinning. Paul says overcome evil with good and we are urged to go on and do good works...our Kingdom Work it is a travesty that such good works are labeled as work righteousness and frowned upon by some denominations. We know that these works do not save us but they do help keep our eyes fixed on Christ and it helps to contend with the sinful nature.

The Pharisees problemwais that they carefully observed the Law while leaving out Justice, Mercy, Faithfulness (the weightier matters of the Law)...
Matthew 23:23:
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

I am sure more can be said about righteousness later.