________ WHY NOT ________
A New Creation in Christ – Part 6 – Our Righteousness
Guilty as Charged!
Guilty! That’s the last word you want to hear if you’re on trial. But sadly, because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, we all show up on planet earth guilty of sin and condemned to die. And worse, we are helpless to do anything about it! The apostle Paul sums up man’s helpless condition in the first half of Romans 5:18 –
“So then as through one transgression <Adam’s sin in the garden> there resulted condemnation <a guilty verdict with a death sentence> to all men <all people everywhere>, ...” Romans 5.18a - Comments in chevrons < > mine - RM
Jesus to the Rescue
But God was not surprised when man sinned. He already had a plan to free mankind from his sin debt. (Rom. 5:6) Paul sums up man’s hopeful condition in the second half of Romans 5:18 -
“... even so through one act of righteousness <Jesus death on the cross> there resulted justification <innocent verdict> of life to all men <new life in Christ to all who receive him by faith>.” Romans 5.18b - Comments in chevrons < > mine - RM
Righteousness and Justification – What Do They Mean?
The word justify is often used in the Bible in a legal sense and simply means to be declared not guilty or to acquit. Righteousness is the quality of being right or just. Both these words are translations of the same Greek root word; and are often used interchangeably.
Because Christians have their sin debt paid for by the blood/death of Jesus, they are declared not guilty (justified) and are therefore, made righteous. (Rom. 5:19) Our righteousness and justification are not based on anything we do. They are a gift from God. (Rom. 3:24, 5:17)
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5.21
You can think of righteousness as “being in a right relationship” with God. Our sin has been forgiven, thus God is no longer counting our sin against us. (Rom. 5:19)
Note – Some teach that our righteousness is only “positional”, i.e., “that’s just how God sees us”. Know this, God sees us exactly how we truly are!
The problem arises when we try to reconcile our feelings and actions with the truth that we are righteous. We know that we don’t always act righteously; and God forbid anyone know all of our thoughts.
However, our righteousness is not the result of our behavior (aka, self-righteousness), but the result of our union with Christ. (Phil. 3:8-9)
We are a new creation in Christ with a new identity! We are righteous, we are holy, we are completely forgiven, we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and we are reconciled to God. In fact, we are saints! So, live accordingly. Amen.
Righteous Behavior
Righteous or righteousness can also refer to one’s behavior, e.g., Rom. 6:16. As always, the context of the scripture will indicate the meaning of the word. But know this, an unrighteous person cannot behave righteously! We behave righteously when we are first made righteous and then walk by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
God is Always Righteous and Just
When referring to God, righteous/righteousness refers to his faithfulness to his word without partiality. God does not act according to an external standard. God always acts righteously and just, because that is his nature, thus he can act no other way.
Pastor Bob Deffinbaugh states it like this - “God is not defined by the term “righteous,” as much as the term “righteous” is defined by God. God is not measured by the standard of righteousness; God sets the standard of righteousness.”
Demonstration of God’s Righteousness
For many years God delayed the punishment for Israel’s sin (and the sins of the whole world). But God did not forget. We read in Romans chapter three –
21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3.21-26 (NLT2)
God if faithful and God can be trusted to do what he said he would do. He has made us righteous and that can never be changed! He has forgiven us all our sins and remembers them no more. (Heb. 8:12) Please don’t listen to Satan when he brings up something you did in the past. Whatever it was that you did has been forgiven and forgotten by God. (Rom. 8:1)
Suggestion – Read Romans chapter 5.
Note – To see all parts of this series - “A New Creation in Christ”