How is the righteousness of God revealed? Paul says it is through faith for faith. Hmnn, I think we need to unpack that statement what does through faith for faith mean. First, let's see how this phrase is rendered in other versions. The NASB renders it "to faith from faith." The KJV renders it "from faith to faith." Most versions render it "to faith from faith." to elaborate on this, Paul says, NET Gal 2:16 "yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified." There you have it. We are justified by the faith of Jesus Christ or in other words by Jesus' faith. So the righteousness of God is revealed from Jesus faith to our faith in Jesus and his faith.
So how does the gospel reveal the righteousness of God? If you use what I believe is the clearest new testament statement of the gospel, found in Second Corinthians chapter five, it shows that God was righteous in creating humanity because he was in Christ reconciling the world to himself not counting sin. So the righteousness of God was proven in his pre-planning, prior to creation to have redemption as his purpose in creation. This can be problematic for those who believe that salvation is a choice that one can make. If any are allowed to not choose redemption then one could be suspect of the true righteousness of God. The problem being is framed like this, "why would an all loving, all knowing, all powerful, God create beings that He foreknew would reject redemption?" Further, as so many evangelicals have been erroneously taught, "why would God create a humanity whereby He would send at the very least 80% of all the people who ever lived to eternal torturous punishment?" The evangelicals may be happy with that and think that it represents a righteous God, but it does not and fortunately the bible does not really teach that!
The first clue we get to God's righteousness is the fact that we have been justified by the faith of Christ as mentioned above. Humanity was justified by one representative, Jesus of Nazareth, the Father's Messiah/Christ. Then we have Peter assure us that God is not willing that any should perish but that all should have a change of mind. Well then, if an all powerful God is not willing that any should perish and not change their mind, why would anyone believe that there would be so many that would perish and not change their mind? In fact, why would you believe that there would be any that would perish and not change their mind?
Now, if you want to quote Heb 9:27 NRSV "And just as it is appointed for mortals to die once, and after that the judgment," don't be so sure that you understand what the writer of Hebrews is saying, especially if you have been steeped in the presuppositions of evangelical dogma. And likewise, if you quote 2Co 5:10 For all of us must appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense for what has been done in the body, whether good or evil", steeped in the presuppositions of evangelical dogma, do not be so certain that the doctrine of eternal torturous punishment is anywhere correct. I have spent a lot of key strokes in other blog posts to show that the references to Gehenna/hell are descriptive of the impending destruction of the temple and Jerusalem. And even of those, Jesus said on the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing."
So what is the judgment seat of Christ, and what will it be like? As humans are confronted with what they did in this life both good and evil, they will see the true effect that justice was meant to have. Let me put it this way, It will be momentary pain and correction that will be consumed in agape/love. The eternal effect will be profound beyond our ability to comprehend now and it will be completely congruent, with the absolute fact that God is agape/love.
All of this points to the actual righteousness of God. But the term righteousness of God also refers to the way Father God views us. He declared according to the author of Genesis that humanity was very good (Gen 1:31.) He reinforces this after the cross event by stating that in view of Jesus perfect faith, humanity was/is justified before Father God and thereby possess the righteousness of God.
What should this good news produce if properly understood and fully believed? It should produce people who truly love God with all their heart, all their soul, and all their strength. I mean generally love Him at all times because of his grace. And, it should produce people who love their neighbor as they love them selves, including neighbor's who are enemies. What works show this love? Doing Justice, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving shelter to the homeless and visiting the sick and prisoners.
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