Righteousness

I have this week been out at the bible college in west Auckland doing a block course titled 'transformational development' among many highlights, and pondering moments, one has stuck with me a bit....

Righteousness

What is the corelation of righteousness to justice? Are they two very seperate things?

It was suggested that righteousness is a inward personal 'rightness' with God while justice is very outward focussed.

Two very distinct elements.

At this point we was informed that the greek word for righteousness was 'diakosume' which is actually bettered translated as righteousness and justice. Which i found really quite interesting.

So I went to my bible to say how this changed a few of the more well known versus that included the word righteousness. If we look through this lense.... then this leads to a foundational shift.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness (and justice)

Ephesians 6:14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness (and justice) in place,

italics added

Righteousness does not alone come from being made right with God, it has to also include justice, acting justly, seeing justice done in our world. Matthew 6:33 says to seek His kingdom, His righteouness and His justice. In terms of spiritual warfare, justice now becomes an integral part of our armour. If justice was done in our world, how much would the principles and powers suffer, how much power would satan lose if in all we did, we acted justly.

Righteousness or being right with God should not or can not be distinct from justice. the two are inexplicably linked. Righeousness can not be an inward focus alone, it must look outwards too.

These among others are the thoughts i have been having.....I apologize if this is all old news... or if it does not make any sense. Any thoughts?