The definition of God’s righteousness
EXHORTATION through the BOOK OF LIFE
Scripture to ponder on:
“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.””
Galatians 2:21 NKJV
THE DEFINITION OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
What does a proper understanding of God's
righteousness have to do with expecting good things to happen to you today? Everything!
Many Christians associate God's righteousness with a list of things they must do, and if they accomplish this list, they feel “righteous.” Conversely, when they fail in their behavior, they feel “unrighteous.” But this is a flawed definition and understanding of God's righteousness.
Let's return to what the Bible has to say. Look at 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he [God] made him [Jesus Christ], who knew no sin, to be sin for us, so that in him [Jesus Christ] we might become the righteousness of God.” We are not righteous because we do good. We have become righteous because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. “Righteousness,” therefore, is not based on our righteous actions. It is entirely based on the good work of Jesus. Christianity is not about doing good to become righteous. It is about believing in the righteousness you have received from Jesus Christ.
Don’t you realize that you have been conditioned to associate blessing with good deeds? Most belief systems are based on a merit system according to which you must fulfill certain conditions—giving to the poor, doing good to others, and caring for the disadvantaged—to achieve a certain state of righteousness. All of this seems very noble, full of self-sacrifice, and appealing to our flesh, which loves to feel that our good works have earned us righteousness.
But God doesn't 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 the perfect sacrifice of His Son on Calvary to justify you and make you righteous! Trying to be justified by your good works and doing your best to keep the Ten Commandments to become righteous is to deny the cross of Jesus Christ. It's like saying, "The cross isn't enough to justify me. I have to rely on my good works to make myself pure and righteous before God."
The Apostle Paul said, "I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness came through the law, Christ died for nothing." My friend, think carefully about what Paul is saying here. He is indeed saying that if you rely on your good works, your actions, and your ability to perfectly observe the Ten Commandments to become righteous, then Jesus died for nothing! That's what "in vain" means—for nothing! So don't frustrate God's grace by depending on your good works to make yourself righteous and gain God's favor. Jesus' sacrifice is more than enough to justify you! And when you know 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 every area of your life as soon as you ask for it with certainty.
Jesus’ beloved !
AMEN & AMEN 🙏🏾🙏🏾!!