The Righteousness of God

Are we hungry with the longing to be filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes only through Jesus? Have we tasted and found that the Lord is good? Do we long for acceptance and strive for perfection? As we examine ourselves to see if we measure up to the standard set by Jesus, we may think we’re a million miles away from the example He has set. But I believe we’re almost there, we just need to stop and consider the situation more closely.

We will inevitably have a problem if we look at ourselves and see how short we fall compared to the perfection of Christ. Instead let us look at what the Bible says.

‘It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption’ (1 Corinthians 1:30).

Jesus is all our righteousness. His starting point was righteousness and holiness, and His desire is that we are all restored to righteousness in Him.

But what does it mean: ‘He is our righteousness?’ It means Jesus is all righteousness and He died and took upon Himself our sin, not part of it, but all of it. Our righteousness may be as filthy rags in His sight, but He took it upon Himself to His death. So, if all our sins, past, present, and future, have been put to death, then what is left? Purity. We may not feel pure, but in His sight that is what we are.

The apostle Paul said, “in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory’ (Ephesians 1:12), “so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God ” (Philippians 1:11).

So, we have the righteousness of God in Christ. It is not having any merit in ourselves, but as we try our best to live the pure life of Jesus, righteousness will be revealed in us. As we accept who we are in God’s sight, in spite of all the failings and imperfections we see, we can be thankful. We know that we do not deserve to be declared righteous. The Lord Jesus Christ didn’t deserve the pain and rejection He bore for us. But He suffered so that we could realise our new identity in Him.

We do not have to grovel in the dust because of our sins, because we can praise God for His righteousness in us. Sin will become abhorrent to us, as will lies and slander, and death will be overcome by life, eternal life.

We read in the Bible, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Philippians 1:10-11).

Let us rise up from the ashes of sin, as children holy and righteous in His sight. We are born again into the Kingdom of God, a new creation, without condemnation. This is our destiny in Jesus Christ.