Righteousness is a word that describes the quality of being right or just in God’s sight. It is a moral and spiritual standard that God requires of His people. But how can we attain this righteousness? How can we be right with God? The Bible teaches us that righteousness is related to faith in two ways: it is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ, and it is a result of living by faith in obedience to God’s will.
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Righteousness as a Gift from God through Faith in Jesus Christ
The Bible tells us that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We have broken God’s law and deserve His wrath and judgment. We cannot earn or merit His favor by our own works or efforts. We are hopeless and helpless without His grace.
But God, in His love and mercy, has provided a way for us to be forgiven and accepted by Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins, and to rise again from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25). Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law on our behalf. He became our substitute and our representative before God.
By trusting in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we receive His righteousness as a gift from God. This is what the Bible calls “righteousness by faith” or “justification by faith”. It means that God declares us righteous, not because of what we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us. It means that God counts our faith as righteousness, just as He did with Abraham, the father of faith (Romans 4:3-5). It means that God treats us as if we had never sinned, and as if we had always obeyed Him perfectly.
This righteousness is not based on our own performance, but on Christ’s performance. It is not something we achieve, but something we receive. It is not something we possess, but something we are clothed with. It is not something we boast in, but something we glory in. It is not something we work for, but something we rest in.
This righteousness is available to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or status. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus (Romans 3:22-24).
This righteousness is the basis of our salvation, our peace with God, and our access to His presence. It is the foundation of our assurance, our confidence, and our hope. It is the source of our joy, our gratitude, and our praise.
Righteousness as a Result of Living by Faith in Obedience to God’s Will
The Bible also teaches us that righteousness is not only a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ, but also a result of living by faith in obedience to God’s will. This is what the Bible calls “righteousness by works” or “sanctification by faith”. It means that God transforms us into His likeness, not by our own power, but by His Spirit. It means that God enables us to do good works, not to earn His favor, but to express His love. It means that God empowers us to obey His law, not to be justified by it, but to be conformed to it.
This righteousness is not opposed to faith, but flows from it. It is not a condition for salvation, but a consequence of it. It is not a requirement for justification, but a fruit of it. It is not a burden to bear, but a blessing to enjoy.
This righteousness is demonstrated by our love for God and for others. It is evidenced by our repentance from sin and our resistance to temptation. It is manifested by our submission to authority and our service to humanity. It is revealed by our worship of God and our witness for Christ.
This righteousness is progressive and dynamic. It grows as we grow in our knowledge of God and His word. It develops as we mature in our relationship with Christ and His church. It deepens as we experience trials and tribulations that test our faith and refine our character.
This righteousness is imperfect and incomplete. We still struggle with sin and fall short of God’s glory. We still need His forgiveness and cleansing every day. We still depend on His grace and mercy every moment.
This righteousness is the goal of our sanctification, the evidence of our regeneration, and the anticipation of our glorification. It is the mark of our discipleship, the measure of our spirituality, and the mission of our life.
Conclusion
Righteousness is related to faith in two ways: it is a gift from God through faith in Jesus Christ, and it is a result of living by faith in obedience to God’s will. The first is the basis of our acceptance by God, and the second is the proof of our transformation by God. The first is the root of our salvation, and the second is the fruit of our salvation. The first is what God does for us, and the second is what God does in us.
We need both aspects of righteousness to be complete and balanced Christians. We need to receive God’s righteousness by faith in Christ, and we need to reflect God’s righteousness by faith in action. We need to be justified by faith, and we need to be sanctified by faith. We need to be declared righteous by God, and we need to be made righteous by God.
May we always trust in Christ for our righteousness, and may we always live by faith for His glory. Amen.
