Saturday, 27 January 2024
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST
For if by one mans offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).
I love what Paul said in Philippians 3:8-9, referring to the supremacy and sublimity of the righteousness which is by faith in Jesus Christ. He said, "...that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."
When you confessed the Lordship of Jesus over your life, His righteousness was imparted to you. The righteousness of Christ is perfect righteousness; it can't be improved upon as you can't improve on perfect. Nothing you do today will make you more righteous or less righteous before God. When God looks at you, He sees the righteousness of Christ.
Jesus was righteous before God, and He was the only one who qualified to be our substitute, being the only sinless one, and He gave you His qualification of righteousness. God accepted the qualification of Jesus in your behalf. Thus, you're no longer living by your own righteousness; you're living by the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." To be "justified" means you're acquitted by your faith in Christ Jesus; you're declared righteous as though you never sinned. Now you have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sadly, there're Christians who are still struggling to be righteous. But we couldn't attain righteousness by ourselves; that's why He gave us His own righteousness. You're as righteous as Jesus is righteous, because He substituted His righteousness for your sin-nature when you confessed His Lordship over your life. What an amazing reality! Praise God.
CONFESSION: I've received abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness to reign in life by one, Jesus Christ! The ability to be right, to do right, and to produce fruits and works of righteousness is inherent in my spirit. I'm living by the righteousness of Jesus Christ. I can stand before God now and always, confidently serving Him in righteousness and true holiness. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:17-19
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Matthew 19:1-15 & Exodus 13-14
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 13:1-12 & Job 24-25