Righteousness: Demanded and Provided

I received the following note from a friend and class leader. My reply is below the note. This is such an incredibly important question that I asked permission to share the question and my reply.

Here's the note:

Tom, I have a question concerning a discussion that arose in Sunday School concerning the meaning of the word "righteousness". I know of many references in the Bible that refer to unsaved persons as being righteous or doing what is right. The verse I used in Sunday School to support my position is Acts 10:35 where Peter notes that Cornelius (a gentile) fears God and is righteous (KJV) or does what is right (NIV). This reference was prior to his knowledge of the gospel and later acceptance of Christ as his saviour. Other references come to mind that link righteousness to unsaved peope. Acts 10:35 has been quoted by some to support salvation for those who never had access to the gospel but feared God and lived an upright life.

The question raised by verse 35, for some, is whether "whoever fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to Him" means that Cornelius was saved before he had the gospel shared with him by Peter. My thinking is he was lost despite his "fear of God and right living" until the moment he accepted Christ as his savior later in chapter 10. Do you think Acts 10 gives any comfort to those who argue that the heathern (e.g., Indians in Americas prior to 1492) who feared God in the light they were given and lived a righteous life were saved? These are simple questions for you but trouble me so I appreciate any help you can provide and I will share your insights with the Sunday School class.

Here's my reply:

Thanks for your note. There are two ways that “righteousness” is used in the Bible: there is the righteousness that God demands, and the righteousness that God provides. The kind he demands is found in the law and on our conscience. The kind he provides is found at the cross. These two kinds of righteousness are intertwined in this way: as we try to live the righteousness God demands, it drives us in guilt to the righteousness God provides; as we marvel at the righteousness God provides, it compels us in gratitude to the righteousness God demands.

It’s true that the Bible has several stories of unsaved people who are called righteous. But, as you correctly say, it’s a misinterpretation of these stories to imply that such people didn’t need the righteousness provided through Jesus. Cornelius, for example, was told about Jesus (verses 34 and following). So, clearly, Luke (the author of Acts) still considered this righteous man in need of the story of the atoning work of Jesus.

Regarding the argument that people can be made right with God by “living by the light they have,” the problem is that in Romans 1-2, Paul has already torpedoed that sentiment. In those chapters, he talks about the fact that, whether we know God’s demands by conscience (Gentiles) or by law (Jews), we’ve simply failed to follow it. That’s why Paul concludes his argument in Romans 3 by saying, "But now, a righteousness from God . . . has been made known. . . . This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe" (verses 21-22).

Paul promises us in Rom. 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” and then he begins to list off the devastating questions: “How can they call on the one they have not believed in? [The obvious answer is “They can’t”] And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? [The obvious answer is “They can’t”] And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? [The obvious answer is “They can’t”] And how can they preach unless they are sent? [The obvious answer is “They can’t”].”

This is a tough, tough subject for people to grasp, but we dishonor God and dismantle the cross if we come up with any solution to hell other than the gospel.

It’s clear from your comments that you feel this way, too. Blessings on your influence with those who are struggling with these biblical realities. For more information, I recommend Lee Strobel’s The Case for Faith. He has a chapter on this matter.