Righteousness. What a bizarre concept. I mean, I know without question that I cannot achieve the state of righteousness by my own effort. Nobody can. But the Bible says that we can be righteous. The Bible even says that we are righteous. What a glorious truth. I don’t really know that I can ever understand it in its most true way. At least not on earth. “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then know shall know just as I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
Righteousness is the only state by which we can be accepted by God. “But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). So it’s not our own righteousness that will make us acceptable unto God. “There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:10,11). So how can we attain that favor from God? Herein lies the beauty of grace!
God gives to us that which we could never ever by own means deserve or earn. For by grace, God gives us the righteousness of Christ (cf Ephesians 2:5; Philippians 3:10). What joy ought to fill our hearts knowing this simple fact! If you’ve never received it, then you are completely reprehensible to God. But despite that, you can come to Him and ask Him for forgiveness and you will be absolved of every wrong thing in your very being. When we ask Him, God will separate us from our sins eternally. “As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:5).
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11).
Glory to God.
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