I know this may be one of the most basic questions you will ever be asked as a Christian, but what is Righteousness? We all have an idea and opinion about what we think it is, and for some, we have strong personal beliefs about what Righteousness is. But have we ever sat back, and allowed the Lord to reveal His Righteousness to us in our souls?
Well, this week I want to take a look at what Righteousness truly is, and more importantly, how we are to live, abide and walk in Righteousness as Believers.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. -Romans 1: 16-17
For the most part, we think that Righteousness is something that is based on our outward behavior in the earth! We believe that it is “something” God declares you to be based upon what you do or don’t do. Therefore, when we think of the word “Righteousness/Righteous” we think about someone trying to live pleasing to God and abstaining from certain gross sins.
The end result is that we quickly go out into the earth trying to BE righteous and ACT righteous rather than allowing the Spirit of God to reveal Righteousness in our souls. It is because of this deception that we actually think that Righteousness is something we can obtain through our own self-effort by abstaining from “bad” things that please the devil, and doing more “good” things that please God!
But what about the Law? Didn’t the Law reveal the Righteousness of God?
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. -Galatians 3: 21
The Law could only testify and describe Righteousness to us in external rules and commandments, but it could never IMPART Righteousness in the human soul! This is because Righteousness has nothing to do with obedience to outward commandments; but it is the Indwelling Resurrected Life of Jesus Christ abiding in your soul as Truth, Life and Salvation!
Righteousness is a LIFE given to you in the Person of Jesus Christ!
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 1 Corinthians 1: 30
I said all of that to say that Righteousness is not something you learn how to be by reading Bible verses or stopping bad behavior; Righteousness is ONLY revealed in the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ! It is not the Christian “code of conduct” and it is not something that you can achieve on your own by following the 10 Commandments. Righteousness is SOMEONE given to you by new birth, and SOMEONE that lives in your soul by faith!
Look at what Paul says in Romans:
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 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: 1 – 3
We are ignorant of God’s Righteousness not because we lack the intellect to understand it, but because the natural mind is blinded to it because of religion and self-righteousness. Therefore, instead of us turning our hearts to the Cross and submitting ourselves to the Righteousness of God; we, like Israel, have created our own brand of righteousness that we teach to others; write songs about and attempt to make “best-selling” books!
2 Corinthians 5: 21
Christ in His Death was made to be what we ARE; so that in His Resurrection we could be made to be what only He is!
My only question that I want to leave with you today is… Have you truly submitted in your heart to the Righteousness of God, or are you still going about attempting to establish your own righteousness through works, self-willed obedience, and blinded self-righteous zeal?
John
Hidden With Christ In God 