Some decades back, ‘righteousness’ was a topic that many Christians feared to think about or discuss. At that time, only some denominations could freely talk about righteousness through various media and publicity materials. This they did freely because people gave them respect for their pious outlook. From what you saw on the outward, you would logically conclude that these people were righteous; they stayed away from virtually everything that looked 'worldly'.
The fear of discussing righteousness was because it seemed unattainable. People thought that no matter how hard they tried to pattern their lifestyle, one little thing was going to still prove them to be unrighteous.
Righteousness is defined as the state of being holy and just, to be in right standing with God. This is the point where God sees you and considers you as sinless and completely holy in His sight. The Greek word for righteous is Dikalos which means to be innocent or holy.
Wow! Little wonder, Christians quickly humble themselves before God and say that they are unrighteous. We spend little time feeling righteous that the whole lot of time we spend feeling unrighteous.
Not one person can have God's approval by following Moses' Teachings. Moses' Teachings show what sin is. Romans 3:20 GW
The Knowledge factor is the most needed tool here. Over the years, the mind and intention of God has finally been brought to light (and we are still learning more and more daily).
In the course of this 7-part series, we will be looking at God's own perspective of righteousness and what He expects from us. Open your heart to the Holy Spirit to teach you and lay aside/discard every pre conceived idea or notion which you have always thought about righteousness.
IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO BE FREE.!!!
HOW CAN A MAN BE RIGHTEOUS?
It is true that God alone is righteous; He cannot withstand iniquity and sin. God knew that there was nothing that man could do (all by himself) to be righteous but He wanted to establish a union/relationship with man.
For this to happen, man needs to be holy as God is and to be righteous as God is righteous before he could ever enjoy this union and fellowship with God.
So what did God do? God imputed in man His own righteous nature, not as a reward for anything that man has done or could do but as a free gift.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Romans 11:6 KJV
But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification. For if by one man's 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 5:15-17 KJV
On the part of man, the nature of righteousness was received as a gift but on the part of God, somebody paid the price.
Our sin nature and its consequences were dealt with on the cross of Calvary when Jesus Christ hung and died, tasted the penalty of sin on our behalf - as us. We paid the price for sin in Him. He was made the sacrifice for our sin so that we would be washed clean and be seen as cleaning the sight of God.
God made him who had no sin to be sin[a] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV
Because of the perfect sacrifice, which was offered just once, God forgave the sins of man. Not only has he forgiven but that he has forgotten and will remember them no more (John 1:29; Hebrews 10:110 – 18; Romans 11:27; Isaiah 1:8; 43:25; Jeremiah 31:34).
Righteousness comes only on the account of Jesus’ death on the Cross- He died for the sins of the world (1John 2:2; Romans 3:25; Colossians 1:14, 20; Ephesians 1:7). The blood of Christ forever makes intercession for us Before the Father (Hebrews 7:25 Romans 6:34). It will not be shed again; it was shed once and for all. This means that sins are forever taken care of.
Therefore, man becomes righteous by expressing faith in the finished work of the Cross (Romans 4:4-8). Righteousness is not a reward; God did not owe humanity anything. Rather, righteousness is a gift from God. The prophet and King (David) foresaw this and spoke by the Holy Spirit that the only way man can become righteous is when God Himself actually does not reckon sin against that man. He says this man is highly favoured.
We are going to learn more about how man can be righteous in the succeeding parts of this series. Take some time to thank God because He alone has made it possible for human beings (though in the flesh) to stand holy and righteous before Him.
