God Is Righteous

Not only is God truth, not only is God holy, but the Bible also teaches that God is righteous. Holiness describes His character, while righteousness and justice describe how He deals with mankind.

In the book of Exodus, we read about Pharaoh, who hardened his heart by holding on to the children of Israel when the Lord had instructed him to release them. As the Lord sent a series of plagues to Egypt, Pharaoh said to Moses and Aaron, ” ‘I have sinned this time. The Lord is righteous, and my people and I are wicked’ ” (Exodus 9:27).

Even that hard-hearted, powerful ruler came to realize that the Lord is righteous.

We know God is omnipotent, all-powerful. If He were all-powerful without being righteous, He would just be a celestial tyrant doing whatever He wanted wherever He wanted to do it. If He were righteous without being powerful He would be unable to execute justice on this earth.

But the good news is that God is all-powerful—and He is righteous. The psalmist says, “For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright” (Psalm 11:7).

He can do whatever He wants, but He does the right thing in every situation. We ought to thank Him for that!