A Walk Through the Bible Part 3 - The Righteousness of God

Joshua Boyd

Series Context

•  Part of a “Walk Through the Bible” series (30,000-foot view) 
•  Key theme: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever
•  The Old Testament is still relevant—Jesus Himself quoted it often 

What is Righteousness?

•  “Righteous” = what is right, just, and fair
•  The key question: Whose perspective defines what’s right?
•  Culture says: “what’s right to me”
•  Bible says: God alone defines what is right

The Problem with Human Perspective

•  We judge based on personal feelings (“that’s not fair”) 
•  We: 
  • Excuse ourselves
  • Accuse others
•  Like in Judges: everyone did what was right in their own eyes

Core Truth

God is always:

•  Right 
•  Just 
•  Fair 

Judgment in the Bible

•  There is a clear line: 
  •  Right → Reward 
  •  Wrong → Judgment 
•  This has never changed

What has changed?

• How judgment is paid
  •  Before Christ → people bore judgment 
  •  After Christ → Jesus took judgment on the cross 

➡️ God’s standard never changed—only the payment method did

The Cross Changes Everything

•  Jesus took: 
  •  The full punishment of sin 
  •  For all people (past, present, future) 
•  We have a choice: 
  •  Accept His sacrifice → no personal judgment 
  •  Reject it → bear judgment ourselves 

Key Biblical Principle

Judgment is never random—there is always cause and effect

•  Example: Nations like Edom and Moab 
  •  Had opportunities to help Israel 
  •  Chose wrongly → judgment came later 
•  Lesson: God gives opportunities before judgment

Misunderstanding Justice Today

•  We often ask: “Where is justice?” 
•  Truth: History isn’t finished yet
•  Final justice is coming 

Personal Application

1. Stop judging others

•  Our perspective is limited 
•  God sees the full picture 

2. Judge yourself instead

•  “If you judge yourself, you won’t be judged” 
•  Repentance shifts judgment to the cross 

3. Trust God’s character

•  Even when it doesn’t seem fair 
•  God is never wrong 

Grace vs License

•  Grace ≠ permission to sin 
•  Grace = opportunity to: 
  •  Be forgiven 
  •  Still live righteously 

Suffering Clarified

Two types:

1.  Suffering from wrong choices 
2.  Suffering for obedience 

➡️ If suffering for God:

•  Keep doing what is right 
•  Trust Him fully 

Final Takeaways

•  God’s standard of right and wrong never changes 
•  Judgment is always just and deserved 
•  There is always an opportunity for repentance 
•  Jesus took your judgment—if you accept it 

Closing Challenge

•  Don’t rely on your perspective 
•  Align with God’s definition of righteousness 
• Repent quickly, obey consistently, trust fully