You Have Been Given the Gift of Righteousness

“….much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” 

Romans 5:17

Many Christians find it is hard to believe that they are still righteous in the eyes of God though they had fallen into sin. Instead of seeking His righteousness as what mentioned in Mathew 6:33, they accepted condemnation into their heart. They thought by condemning themselves they could free themselves from sin, punishing themselves in all kind of methods and ways. Is that the truth? The bible says that, “and you will know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32).

An exchange takes place on the cross, when God made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us so that we can become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21). If we don’t believe righteousness by exchange, there is nothing left but “Work Righteousness”. Work righteousness places man and his performance at the very center. If we accepted our righteousness through work, one day we will look at our own failures and shortcomings and say “How can I call myself righteousness? I have all kind of all kinds of problems and sins!” We will never be free from those sins until we receive His righteousness.  

My friend, the gift of righteousness is received by faith. Faith righteousness places Jesus at the very center of all that we are, all we have and we can do in God. This righteousness doesn’t come from you but from the Lord (Isaiah 54:17). You can’t earn God’s righteousness with your good attitudes; it is a gift, given freely to you through the finished work of Christ. 

Beloved, because you have received the gift of righteousness, you are free from bondages of sin. When you feel as if you are in a storm, tossed here and there, and you begin to experience worry and fear, remind yourself of who you are in Christ. You are the righteousness of God in Christ and you have His righteousness!