I grew up in a rather religious home. Almost everyone in my family held one position or the other in church —elder, deacon, deaconess and whatnot. I live with one of my uncles who was particularly dogmatic and strict, which I found really unnecessary and annoying. We observed strict religious routines every morning and evening. Everyone was just too pious for my liking. Many times I had received lashes of cane for trying to “deviate from the way of holiness”. I just hated the way they went about it. Their standard of righteousness was just too “Mosaic”. I didn't feel free, and I could say the same for all of them too. The house was usually too boring and religious. The funny part is that they could tell a lie and deny it or cover it up. I was a small boy then, but I knew what hypocrisy was.
How do we really think we can achieve righteousness by our human effort?
The Biblical standard of Christian Righteousness is rooted in the finished work of Christ. Outside that, it is nothing but work.
Paul said in Philippians 3 vs 7–9
But what things were gain to me I counted as loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ..
Paul was a Pharisee, completely devoted to the law, and in that religious zeal did great exploit until Jesus arrested him on his way to persecuting the Church. After that encounter Paul saw that true righteousness cannot come from works but through faith in Christ alone. He further said,
..and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.(Philippians 3:9 NKJV)
What is Righteousness?
Righteousness is not merely good behavior or uprightness. Anyone can be well behaved or upright by reason of parental upbringing or discipline. But the Bible teaches us clearly that righteousness is a gift from God. In other words, no one can be righteous unless God declares them so. Righteousness is one of those contents in the salvation package received the very moment we accepted the redemption of our Lord Jesus Christ— we were justified, and freely so we became righteous unto our God.
Thus, righteousness is a state of being made right with God and unto God. All sins have been forgiven. You are no longer a sinner in God's eyes all because of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
One may ask, “How do I know I am righteous?”
The Bible says “we are saved by grace through faith. If you believe it then you should know it. Just as you became by faith so also you know by faith.
Why Do Some Christians Still Battle With Sin?
This is one question I always get to answer during soul-winning outings. Here are some reasons why:
Ignorance: You may not fully live the righteous life God has given you if you are still ignorant that you've been made righteous not by your own effort but by God. Paul said about the Jews in Romans 10 vs 3 that
for they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.(NKJV)
Wrong Bible teaching: Some Christians have been wrongly taught the concept of righteousness. Some teachers mix it up —you know, Grace and Works. Romans 10 vs 4 says,
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
You cannot force yourselves to become righteous. As long as the arm of flesh is involved in this matter, we will not prevail. Trying to become righteous by human energy is nothing short of self righteousness, which is never an alternative to the righteousness of God.
Doubting the possibility of one becoming righteous. Again this is a matter of wrong or misleading teaching. 1 John 2 vs 1–2 says,
My little children, these things I write to you that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. And he himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
No one can rebuff that. Jesus is our righteousness!
Not receiving the Holy Spirit
It is the Holy Spirit that empowers us to live and walk in the righteousness of God, and to “stand in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free”. Romans 8 vs 16 says,
The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God(NKJV)
We carry this testimony in us that we are God's children and we have been made righteous.
Why Must We Embrace God's Righteousness?
We have no ability of our own to make ourselves righteous. Humanly, it is not possible. We will constantly fall from the standard. Self-righteousness is not even an alternative. Only God can make us righteous through faith in Christ Jesus. Isaiah 64 vs 6a.
The righteousness of God sets us free from the condemnation of the law. Romans 8 vs 1–4. One God has declared you righteous, nothing can condemn you.
We need the righteousness of God in order to reign in this life. Romans 5 vs 17 says,
For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. NKJV
Take note of the words “abundance of grace”. Yes, that is what we received. There is abundance of grace for us to live righteously, and victoriously in every sphere of life in this world.
Embrace the Righteousness of God today.
Peace.