5.24 Epistles – The gift of righteousness under the New Covenant
When our best efforts are measured against God’s standard of holiness, there is only one verdict. The Bible declares, “All our righteousness are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). From God’s perspective, if we are to succeed in attaining to righteousness, there has to be a better way. Since mankind in their sinful state failed to attain to righteousness, perfect righteousness would have to come from God Himself.
(Rom 3:21-22, NKJV)
But now the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD APART FROM THE LAW is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
The righteousness of God that has been revealed through Christ is apart from our performance in keeping the law. It is given by grace – based on what Christ has done. Because grace is unmerited, undeserved and unearned favor, everyone qualifies. It is received through faith in Jesus.
Some find it hard to understand how we can become righteous when we are still imperfect in our behavior. We still look at our performance. We have to take our eyes off ourselves and fix it on Jesus.
How did we become a sinner? We became sinners through Adam’s disobedience. As a sinner, we could do a righteous deed, but it wouldn’t make us righteous. The old man in Adam has to die and be born again in Christ to be righteous. Now that we are righteous in Christ, one unrighteous act does not transform us into a sinner. We were made righteous through the obedience of Christ.
(Rom 5:18-19, NKJV)
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s DISOBEDIENCE many were made SINNERS, so also by one Man’s OBEDIENCE many will be made RIGHTEOUS.
Righteousness is a gift from Jesus. This is the basis of our faith. When we believe we are righteous in Christ, we will begin to walk in His righteousness. We will experience intimacy with God. We will walk in our new identity. We will experience the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. We will experience God’s promises in our everyday life because all the promises of God in the Bible are reserved for the righteous. Remember to fix your eyes on Jesus and let His Spirit work within you.
(Rom 3:21-22, NKJV)
But now the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD APART FROM THE LAW is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.
The righteousness of God that has been revealed through Christ is apart from our performance in keeping the law. It is given by grace – based on what Christ has done. Because grace is unmerited, undeserved and unearned favor, everyone qualifies. It is received through faith in Jesus.
Some find it hard to understand how we can become righteous when we are still imperfect in our behavior. We still look at our performance. We have to take our eyes off ourselves and fix it on Jesus.
How did we become a sinner? We became sinners through Adam’s disobedience. As a sinner, we could do a righteous deed, but it wouldn’t make us righteous. The old man in Adam has to die and be born again in Christ to be righteous. Now that we are righteous in Christ, one unrighteous act does not transform us into a sinner. We were made righteous through the obedience of Christ.
(Rom 5:18-19, NKJV)
Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life. For as by one man’s DISOBEDIENCE many were made SINNERS, so also by one Man’s OBEDIENCE many will be made RIGHTEOUS.
Righteousness is a gift from Jesus. This is the basis of our faith. When we believe we are righteous in Christ, we will begin to walk in His righteousness. We will experience intimacy with God. We will walk in our new identity. We will experience the leading and power of the Holy Spirit. We will experience God’s promises in our everyday life because all the promises of God in the Bible are reserved for the righteous. Remember to fix your eyes on Jesus and let His Spirit work within you.
posted by Joshua Lye @ 7:39 PM
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