Righteousness by Faith

Click to enlarge image - a bird

Christ our righteousnes is one of the most beautiful message in all the Bible, yet it is one of  the least taught and understood. In the book of Colossians the marvelous wisdom of Christ, by whom all things were created. Col. 1:14-16 Is found. Adam's fall and its awful consequences, was given to us so that we can see and appreciate the relationship of Christ, the last Adam, as our Redeemer and restorer. Rom. 5:12-21. Here we see Death and all it's fears dealt with so that Christ may be exalted and glorified as the Life-giver. 1 Cor. 15:22. Christ our great comforter and deliverer was sent to restore us. John 16:35. For only Christ is the Lord our righteousness.

Christ our righteousness; In the Bible we read: "O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee." Dan 9:7. "The Lord is righteous in all His ways." Ps. 145:17. "Thy righteousness is like the great mountains." Ps. 36:6. "Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness." Ps. 119:142. "The righteous Lord loveth righteousness." Ps. 11:7. "There is no unrighteousness in Him." Ps. 92: 15.

Since our Lord is Righteous can we be made righteous? if so how? Regarding the nature of righteousness, the Scriptures are clear. It is set forth as the very opposite of sin, and is associated with holiness. "Awake to righteousness, and sin not." 1 Cor. 15:34. "That ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, which after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth." Eph. 4:22-24. "The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." Eph. 5:9. "Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." I Tim. 6:11. "All unrighteousness is sin." 1 John 5:17. Here the Scriptures clearly shows that righteousness is not only possible through faith but it is inevitable when you accept Christ as your Saviour.

One of the most inspiring statement regarding righteousness in the word of God is the following as it relates to Christ: "Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows." Heb. 1:9. This places righteousness as the direct contrast, the direct opposite, of iniquity, or sin. Thus the word declares that God is the source of righteousness, and that it is one of His divine, holy attributes.

The Scriptures declare that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23); that we are "carnal, sold under sin" (Rom. 7:14); that "there is none righteous, no, not one" (Rom. 3:10); that in our flesh there "dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7: 18); and finally, that we are "filled with all unrighteousness" (Rom. 1:29). Therefore none is righteous, human nature is filled with unrighteouness.


In the same breath we find in the word of God the truth about Christ gift of righteousness to humanity, reminding us of the good news that God has provided a way by which we may be cleansed from our unrighteousness, and be clothed and filled with His perfect righteousness. We find that this provision was made and revealed to Adam as soon as he transgressed God's holy law. This merciful provision has been understood and laid hold of by unrighteous men and women from the very beginning of time; as it is related to us in the Scriptures.

The way of being made righteous is taught in the New Testament. The clearest and most simple text is found in the epistle of Paul to the Romans. At the very beginning of his argument the apostle declares: "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.... For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Rom. 1:16, 17.

So my friends Christ is sufficient to forgive sins, we need no other way, no sacrament, no traditions, nothing in this world is necessary, these cannot replace God''s imputed righteousness. For it is through faith that we are saved, Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 so then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17. 

                                                           **************



cc photo @N06/449237945