RIGHTEOUSNESS, IT'S A BIG DEAL
ROMANS 3:21-22
ROMANS 3:21-22 NKJ
21 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;
Righteousness is one of the biggest themes of the New Testament. Righteousness, in simple terms, means being in right standing with God. Being made right in His sight.
In the Old Testament, before Jesus, the only righteousness was found in keeping the Jewish law. The big problem with that is no one could do it. If we could do it on our own, Jesus would not have had to come and die. But He did. And thank God He did. His death on the cross paid the price for our sins, and His resurrection made us right with God. I would not be honest if I said I understood how that was done, but I don't have to understand it; I just have to put my faith in Jesus.
This righteousness that we have is available to anyone and everyone who has faith in Jesus Christ. Our faith in Him, His death, burial, and resurrection make us righteous before God. We could not get there on our own by being good and keeping the ten commandments. We could not become righteous before God by trying hard or belonging to the "right" church. We can only become righteous through faith in the Savior.
APPLICATION
The best thing we can do with this gift of righteousness is accept it. Instead of viewing and talking about ourselves as struggling believers that God barely tolerates, we can celebrate that we've been made right with Him. And then we honor His gracious gift by acting like the righteous. But that lesson is for another day.
PRAYER
Thank You, Father, for the righteousness that I have with You because of Jesus. I accept Him and the free gift of His righteousness.