Expert: Mel and Guyna Horne - 2/21/2008

Question
I am looking to find several verses in the bible that prove that we inherited Christ's righteousness when he was resurrected.....would you happen to know a few. Thanks. PETE

Answer
Hi Pete,

There are a number of scriptures about inheritance and righteousness as separate subjects even though the two are related. [All scriptures given are KJV.]

There are scriptures about the land (Palestine) promised as an inheritance to Abraham and his descendants for Abraham’s faithfulness (Gen. 15:7-8).
There are scriptures about the “meek” inheriting the earth (Mat. 5:5).
There are scriptures about the righteous inheriting eternal life (Mat. 19:29, Lk. 10:25).
There are scriptures about overcomers inheriting “all things” (Rev. 21:7).

God accounted Abraham’s works of faith as righteousness (Gen. 15:6, Rom. 4:3, Jas. 2:23).
God accounted the works of Noah, Daniel and Job as righteousness (Eze.14:20).
Obeying the commandments of God is counted as righteousness (Deu. 6:25, Psa. 119:172, Isa. 48:18, Isa. 58:2).
Righteousness is a “way” of life ( “he that does righteousness” Psa. 106:3; Pro. 8:20, Pro. 12:28, Rev. 19:11).
Righteousness is something to be “learned” (Isa. 26:9-10) and taught (1Pet. 2:5).
Righteousness is something to be sought after (Mat. 5:6, 6:33).
Righteousness can be a “work” or the result of “works”, something “done”, or “executed” (1Jn. 2:29, 3:7, 3:10, Isa. 64:5, Isa. 58:2, Jer. 33:15, 22:3, Eze. 3:20, Eze. 18:22, 24, Acts 10:35).
Righteousness is the opposite of committing sin (Eze. 18:20, 26, Dan. 4:27).
Righteousness is made void by committing sin (Eze. 18:26, 33:12, 13, 18, 2Pet. 2:21).
It is demonstrated by faith in Christ (Rom. 1:17, 3:22).


Paul spoke of righteousness (in the sense of salvation) as being a free gift (not an inheritance) (Rom. 5:17-18) and that it was the result of “obedience” (Rom. 6:16).
Paul said it is the opposite of committing sin (1Cor. 15:34, also James 1:20).
Paul said it is something in which to be instructed by the scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16).


Misc. scriptures:
Psa. 119:40 “quicken [give life to] me in your righteousness”

Isa. 61:10 “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Jer. 23:6 , Mal. 4:2   A name of Christ.


Perhaps the scripture you had in mind is Heb. 11:7 (probably written by Luke),  “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.”

[Heb. 11:7 shows a connection between righteousness and faith.  James explained the connection between faith and good works (Jas. 2:14-26).  Christ also spoke of the connection between faith and works (Lk. 6:46).]

Rom. 4:13 shows an inheritance of the world, through the righteousness of faith.

Several word searches have not yielded any other results showing a connection between inheritance and righteousness, and offhand, we cannot think of any others at this time. If we do, we shall forward them in a follow-up.

We hope that this will be of help.
Sincerely,
Mel


For more answers and for Christian humor visit
http://www.geocities.com/changes1611/index.html