Romans 10:3-4 “Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the Law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”
God has given His children many gifts; one such gift is Righteousness. Unfortunately many believers are under the impression that righteousness is a reward for their perfect obedience. They believe that a person has to do right in order to become righteous, or that righteousness is achieved through acts of penance. These beliefs are not based in the Truth of God’s Word but are lies of your enemy, the devil. It is part of his strategy of deception that he perpetuates to not only cause the believer to live a life of defeat but also to dishonour Jesus and His finished work.
You must reject, outright, any teaching that says that you have to earn your righteousness. Being morally upright is admirable but does not make you righteous. Your right conduct is a good thing but cannot establish your righteousness. Righteousness is a gift; you cannot earn it through your own works. If you have to work for it, then it is not a gift.
Romans 4:4-5 “Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.”
When Jesus gave Himself up as the ultimate sacrifice at Calvary, He exchanged places with you. Jesus took all your sin and in its place, gave you His righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Beloved, it is through Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross that makes you righteous. It is not through your own efforts, works, conduct or obedience. When you receive Jesus Christ into your life and, by faith, believe in Him and His finished work, God sees you as righteous.
Romans 3:23 “This righteousness from God comes through Faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
Today, God is telling you to forget all your misconceptions about righteousness and awaken to the Truth – “You are the righteousness of God in Christ!”
See also Romans 3:21-31; 4:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:34; Hebrews 8:8-13
The Righteousness of God in Christ ©2013 Shelley Johnson 6-Feb-13
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