Righteousness
- mimiinjc
- Aug 18
- 2 min read
EXHORTATION through the BOOK of LIFE
Scripture to ponder on
“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.”
Galatians 2:21 KJV
THE DEFINITION OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
What is a good understanding of God's righteousness to do with the expectation that good will happen to you today? Everything! Many Christians associate God's righteousness with a list of acts they must do, and if they accomplish all these things, they feel "right". Conversely, when they think they have failed in terms of behavior, they feel "unfair". It is a bad definition and understanding of God's righteousness. Trying to be righteous by your good works and doing your best to keep the Ten Commandments is to deny the cross of Jesus Christ. This is to say: "The cross is not enough to justify me. I must rely on my good works to make myself pure and just before God.
What does the Word say? In 2 Corinthians 5:21, it is written: "For [Jesus Christ] made him [Jesus Christ], who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we may become the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus Christ]". We are not righteous because we do good. We became righteous because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. "Righteousness ", therefore, is not based on our just action. It is entirely based on the good deed of Jesus. Christianity is not about doing good to become righteous. It's about believing in the righteousness you received from Jesus Christ.
Man, after the fall has become centered on his ability to provide for his needs (Gen 3:19) and most of the doctrines are based on this system of merit according to which you must fulfill certain conditions, that is, give to the poor, do good to others and take care of the disadvantaged, to become just before God. All this remains very noble and attractive for our flesh who likes to feel that our good works have earned us our righteousness. But God does not look at your nobility, your sacrifices or your good works to justify you. HE is only interested in the humility of Jesus on the cross. He looks at His Son's perfect sacrifice on Calvary to justify you and make you just.
The apostle Paul said: "I do not destroy the grace [undeserved favor] of God, because if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain. My friend, think carefully about what Paul says here. He says that if you count on your good works, your actions and your ability to perfectly observe the Ten Commandments to become just, then Jesus died for nothing! This is what "in vain" means. So do not reject God's grace by depending on your good works to make yourself just and put God on your side. The sacrifice of Jesus is more than enough to justify you! And when you know that you are justified, you can be sure that God's undeserved favor is on your side and expect good things to happen to you 24/7 in all areas of your life.
Jesus' beloved!
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