2007-06-28 16:27:33 · 7 answers · asked by Mr. Bodhisattva 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Whose righteousness are we talking about here? Because, from a Christian perspective, there is not a righteous man on earth (Ecclesiastes 7: 20 and Romans 3: 10) and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags to God, who is righteous (Isaiah 64: 6). Jesus Christ was righteous (1 John 2: 1) and he said that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will inherit God's kingdom (Matthew 5:6) and told us to seek first God's kingdom and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
The righteous live by faith (Galatians 3:11) and faith is credited as righteousness (Romans 4:9), but we cannot earn it or attain it by our own efforts. It can only be imputed to us through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It is a gift from God.
So, if we stop thinking in human terms and view righteousness from God's perspective, then faith in God is the only righteousness that matters, and the reward for that is life everlasting. It is a goal we might seek to attain, but we can never attain righteousness by ourselves, as hard as we might try. It is a gift.
2007-06-30 05:57:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say righteousness is an end as a means is something that we do towards an end. We cannot be righteous now. We can however be self-righteous which IS an means to an end, people think.
2007-06-29 07:21:24 · answer #2 · answered by Carol D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know what? Look up righteousness, it's pretty much "whatever God wants", which is sad, because "righteousness" has a very positive connotation in our society, but God is the Boogeyman's dad. I think another word is in order.
2007-06-28 16:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's a means to an end.
2007-06-29 08:11:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a means to THE END.. Once the world attains enlightenment, Eliyahu (Elijah) will appear on Earth as a harbinger of the Moshiach (Messiah).. This will be the sign for the beginning of Olam Haba (The World To Come)..
2007-06-28 16:35:53 · answer #5 · answered by Furibundus 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
An end, regarding eternal life(faith in Christ is the means). A means, regarding a life of absence of self caused problems.
2007-06-28 16:34:48 · answer #6 · answered by expertless 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
How bout both?
2007-06-28 16:40:01 · answer #7 · answered by CaTcHmEiFuCaN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋