8.7 Righteousness under the New Covenant is from Christ

Righteousness under the Old Covenant is the righteousness of man. God could not find righteousness in the sinner. Isaiah 64:6 says, “But we are all like an unclean thing, and all OUR righteousnesses are like filthy rags…” That’s what He calls it – “filthy rags”.

So how can God save the sinner? God would have to provide His own perfect righteousness through Jesus. The Son of God would have to come to this world to fulfill the law on behalf of mankind (Matthew 5:17). Once He had fulfilled righteousness, He would go to the cross – to take the sins of mankind upon Himself, and to impute His perfect righteousness on those who believe in Him.

(2 Cor 5:21)
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Let me give an illustration. We were once wearing filthy rags. But Jesus came and clothed us with His robe of righteousness. When God sees us, He sees us in the robes of Jesus.

(Isaiah 61:10)
For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
He has covered me with the ROBE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS…

Therefore, righteousness under the New Covenant has nothing to do with keeping the law. It is righteousness apart from the law. It has nothing to do with the righteousness of man – but the righteousness of God. The only way to receive it is by faith.

(Romans 3:21-22)
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.

This is the heart of the gospel. This is the truth that every Christian should be taught during foundation class or baptism class. This is the truth that you must know beyond doubt. The book of Romans is the book where Paul explains what the gospel is all about.

Today, you must know that your righteousness is not from yourself, it is from Jesus. It can only be received by faith – believing in what He has done for you on the cross. That is why as Christians, our lives have to be established on the cross – not on self. If you have the righteousness of Jesus, it means you have perfect righteousness.

When you believe in Him, you will start to experience the reality of Him in you. You will start walking in your new identity. You will experience His transforming power from within. As Christians, we live our lives by faith in Him.