This is one word often mentioned in scripture and believers’ gatherings. However, only a few people understand what it means and why it is so important.
Righteousness, according to the dictionary refers to the quality of being morally right or justifiable. We know that morals are not enough when it comes to Christianity, since they’re generally subjected to personal or generally accepted opinions. Righteousness, in the biblical sense, is the state of being in right standing with God. It is the state of being in the right relationship with God.
The matter of righteousness, for any believer, is not about if. It is a requirement. Why should any Christian not desire to be in right standing with God? However, we must see righteousness not as something we can have on our own but as something that is given to us by Christ and through Christ alone. The scripture tells us that we have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Cor. 5:21). In essence, whatever form of righteousness we have is God’s and can only be accessed in Jesus.
Only God is inherently and innately righteous. Every other person derives their righteousness from Him. Just as no man is justified of his own accord but only through the justification of Jesus Christ, we can only be declared righteousness when it is God’s righteousness.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Things you should know about righteousness
Righteousness can be pursued. The scripture tells us to pursue righteousness (1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22). There will be many temptations in this world, seeking to strip you of righteousness. The flesh will not make it any easier. But through dying daily to self and renewing your mind with the truth that you have been made righteous, through the steady convictions of the Holy Spirit reminding you of your new nature as the righteousness of God, you can remain unwavering.
If you pursue righteousness, you will catch up. Here is Jesus’ promise to us: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
When we desire to be righteous, the Holy Spirit supplies us with everything we need to be in right standing in and to remain in right standing. (Psa. 23:3)
Righteousness cannot come from the law. The law poses to offer righteousness but in reality, it can’t (Rom. 3:20; Php. 3:9). This is because no one can ever fulfill it in totality. Whatever righteousness one can claim to have based on fulfilling the law, is self-righteousness and Jesus doesn’t reckon with that. He stated that unless a person is more righteous than the Pharisees, they cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 5:20). The only righteousness higher than the self-righteousness of the Pharisees is true righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
This brings us to the next point; righteousness is by faith (Php. 3:9). The scripture is clear on the fact that righteousness comes by faith. Since Jesus is the one who offers us righteousness, we can only access it through faith in Him. If we even take a jump in time and examine the life of the patriarchs and matriarchs, we realize they were all people of faith and their faith was credited to them as righteousness (Heb. 11:1-11).
But now apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,
Romans 3:21-22 NIV
Moreover, as we are made righteous by faith, to remain righteous, we must live by faith (Rom. 1:17). Remember righteousness translates to being in a right relationship with God. Without faith, we cannot please Him, let alone be in a right relationship with Him. (Heb. 11:16)
Righteousness is a kingdom concept. It is expected of every believer. We cannot work for it. The only way to be declared righteous is to fall under the saving umbrella of Jesus Christ, believing in His sacrifice. Of our own accord, we are not righteous but through Jesus, we are the righteousness of God.
Faith+blog 