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| Preacher |
The Gift of Righteousness: God's Standard and Our Salvation
📖 Key Scripture:
"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." — 2 Corinthians 5:21
Reflection:
God desired righteousness—not just any kind, but a righteousness that fully met the demands of His law and satisfied His perfect justice. However, throughout history, no man—not Moses, David, Abraham, Noah, or even Enoch—could attain this righteousness.
The Bible declares:
📖 "There is none righteous, no, not one." — Romans 3:10
Even though some were called "righteous" or "blameless," it was only in a limited sense—not the absolute righteousness God required. The law demanded perfection, not partial obedience. There were not just 10 commandments but 613 laws, and breaking even one meant breaking them all:
📖 "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." — James 2:10
📖 "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." — Galatians 3:10
Jesus: The Only Righteous One
Since no man could attain this righteousness, God Himself came in the flesh—Jesus Christ. He was the only one who fulfilled the law completely and magnified it, restoring its original glory.
📖 "The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable." — Isaiah 42:21
The Pharisees had lowered God's standard with additional rules, but Jesus raised it again, fulfilling not just the letter of the law but its very spirit.
Amazingly, all of Christ’s righteousness—His perfect obedience and holiness—is given to us as a gift when we believe in Him. This righteousness is not earned; it is imputed (credited) to us by faith:
📖 "For when we believe and embrace the one who brought our Lord Jesus back to life, perfect righteousness will be credited to our account as well." — Romans 4:23-24
📖 "But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference." — Romans 3:21-22
Rejecting Self-Righteousness
Many people today ignore this gift of righteousness and instead try to establish their own righteousness through good works. The Bible warns against this:
📖 "For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." — Romans 10:3
Self-righteousness leads to a curse, because if you rely on your works, you must keep the entire law without fail:
📖 "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." — Galatians 3:10
But when you receive Christ’s righteousness, all the blessings of God follow you:
📖 "For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." — Romans 5:17
Righteousness Comes Through the Cross
The foundation of our righteousness is the cross. Jesus, who never sinned, became sin for us so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). His righteousness is not just given to us, but we are made righteous in Him—a new identity in Christ!
📖 "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith." — Philippians 3:9
Sadly, many today reject Jesus’ sinlessness, with surveys showing that even some professing Christians believe He sinned. But the truth remains:
- Paul said: "He knew no sin." — 2 Corinthians 5:21
- Peter said: "He did no sin." — 1 Peter 2:22
- John said: "In Him is no sin." — 1 John 3:5
- Pilate said: "I find no fault in Him." — John 19:4
- Jesus said to the Pharisees: "Which of you convinceth me of sin?" — John 8:46
Jesus is God in the flesh. He preexisted before creation (John 1:3-4, Colossians 1:17), and He entered time to fulfill righteousness on our behalf. Through Him, we are made holy and acceptable before God.
📖 "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." — 1 Peter 1:15-16
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. I reject my own efforts to be righteous and fully embrace the righteousness You have given me by faith. Help me to walk in this truth daily, knowing that I am accepted, loved, and justified in Your sight. Thank You for the cross and for making me a new creation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
