
A Simple Explanation for Everyone
When people say that “God is righteous,” what does that actually mean? In plain language, it means that God is always good, always fair, and always does what is right—without exception.
God’s Perfect Character
The word “righteous” describes the very heart of God’s character. According to the Bible, God is absolutely pure and good. He never makes mistakes, never does anything wrong, and never acts unfairly. Everything God does—from the biggest event in history to the smallest detail in your life—is just and right.
The Bible even says God is like a strong, unshakeable rock: His work is perfect, His ways are just, and He never cheats or does anything unjust. He cannot be accused of wrongdoing because there is nothing wrong in Him.
How God Relates to Us
God’s righteousness isn’t just about Him; it’s also about how He treats people. God has revealed what is right through the world He made, through the conscience He puts in our hearts, and most clearly, through the Bible. Because He is perfectly fair, He will judge every person according to what they have known and done.
One day, God will judge every action—good or bad, open or secret—with complete justice. He sees everything, even what is hidden from others. When judgment comes, it won’t be because God is harsh or mean, but because real love and goodness require that evil and injustice be dealt with.
Why God’s Judgment Matters
Some people may wonder why God judges anyone at all. But think about it: a world where evil is never punished would fall apart. If God ignored wickedness, He wouldn’t be good or loving. Instead, the fact that He judges fairly is actually part of what makes Him trustworthy and loving. He keeps evil and chaos in check.
Encountering God’s Righteousness
Reading about God or talking about Him is one thing, but seeing His righteousness for ourselves—especially in the Bible—can be overwhelming. When people in the Bible caught even a glimpse of God’s pure goodness, they felt small and humble, realizing how much higher and holier He is compared to us.
Even at our very best, we are only a reflection of His greatness. And the truth is, all of us have fallen short and done wrong things. But God’s righteousness isn’t just something to fear—it’s also something to trust. We can rely on Him to always do what is right, both now and forever.
If you’ve never thought about God this way before, maybe now is the time to explore what it means that God is perfectly righteous—and what that means for your life.