When you declare “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” you are proclaiming a profound truth about your identity as a believer in Jesus. This phrase carries deep significance and represents the transformative work of God in your life through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
You Will Learn Today
- Understanding righteousness in Christ is crucial for believers.
- Proclaiming “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus” signifies your identity in Christ.
- Righteousness in Christ means being justified, forgiven, and adopted into God’s family.
- It is a gift from God received by faith.
- Righteousness in Christ encompasses the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the process of sanctification.
Understanding righteousness in Christ means recognizing that when you accept Jesus as your Savior, His righteousness becomes your covering. It means that you are justified before God, declared righteous, and have the assurance of your sins being forgiven – both past and present.
This righteousness is a gift from God, given to you by faith. It encompasses your adoption into God’s family, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the ongoing process of sanctification.
The Righteousness of God in Christ Explained
When we talk about the righteousness of God in Christ, we are referring to the justification and salvation that comes through our faith in Jesus. It is through this righteousness that we are made right with God and have our sins forgiven.
This righteousness is not something that we earn or deserve through our own efforts. Instead, it is a gift from God, bestowed upon us when we accept Jesus as our Savior.
It is the divine righteousness that is imputed to us, covering our sins and enabling us to have a restored relationship with God.
In order to fully comprehend the righteousness of God in Christ, we must look to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. It is through His sacrificial death that this righteousness is made available to us.
Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sins, and in exchange, His righteousness is credited to our account.
It is important to note that this righteousness is not based on our own works or efforts. No matter how hard we try, we can never attain righteousness on our own.
Instead, it is through faith in Jesus and His work on the cross that we can experience the righteousness of God.
What The Bible Says About Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus?
“For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21
This verse encapsulates the essence of the righteousness of God in Christ. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are no longer identified by our sins but rather as the righteousness of God.
It is a transformation that takes place within us, as we are made new in Christ.
The righteousness of God in Christ is not just a legal standing before God, but it also has practical implications for how we live our lives. It empowers us to live in obedience to God’s commands and to walk in a manner that reflects His righteousness.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” This verse encapsulates the idea that Jesus, who was without sin, took upon Himself the sins of humanity, so that through Him, people could be made righteous in the sight of God.
- Romans 3:21-22: “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” Here, Paul speaks about a righteousness from God that comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, distinguishing it from the righteousness based on the Law.
- Romans 5:17-19: These verses further explain how through the disobedience of one man (Adam), many were made sinners, and through the obedience of one man (Jesus Christ), many will be made righteous.
- Philippians 3:9: “And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” Paul expresses his desire to possess a righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, not from his own efforts under the Law.
- Galatians 2:16: “Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.” This verse emphasizes the inadequacy of the law to justify and the necessity of faith in Jesus for justification.
- Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This passage highlights that salvation and righteousness are gifts from God, received through faith, not earned by human efforts.
When we embrace the righteousness of God in Christ, we are acknowledging our dependence on Him and His grace.
It is a constant reminder that our own efforts are insufficient, and that it is only through Jesus that we can truly be made right with God.
This righteousness is not something that we possess on our own, but rather a gift that we receive by faith. It is a righteousness that surpasses any human understanding or merit, and it is available to all who put their trust in Jesus.
Significance of Righteousness in Christ
The significance of righteousness in Christ is multifaceted. Firstly, it represents our new identity in Christ.
As believers, you are no longer defined by your past sins and failures, but by the righteousness of God that covers you. This has a profound impact on your self-image and self-worth.
Secondly, righteousness in Christ allows you to approach God as your heavenly Father. Just as Jesus called God His Father, you too can have a personal and intimate relationship with God. Through the righteousness of Christ, you have access to the Father’s love, guidance, and provision.
Thirdly, righteousness in Christ empowers you to live a life of obedience to God’s commands. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within you, enables you to overcome the power of sin and live a life that pleases God.
It is through Christ’s righteousness that you receive the strength and guidance to walk in righteousness.
Finally, righteousness in Christ gives you the confidence and assurance of your salvation. Through faith in Jesus, you are justified before God and have the assurance that your sins are forgiven.
This righteousness is not based on your own efforts, but on the finished work of Christ, assuring you of your eternal security in your relationship with God.
The Journey of Transformation
The transformative power of righteousness in Christ is an ongoing journey. It requires a surrender of our own desires and a willingness to allow God to work in us.
It involves daily seeking His presence, renewing our minds with His Word, and aligning our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with His truth.
As we submit to the Holy Spirit’s gentle conviction and guidance, He reveals areas in our lives where we need to grow and change.
He empowers us to let go of sinful patterns, negative mindsets, and destructive behaviors. Through His sanctifying work, we are gradually transformed into the likeness of Jesus.
How Can I Become the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus?
A transformed life is marked by righteousness, holiness, and godliness. It is a life that reflects the character and nature of God. Here are some practical ways to live out the transformative power of righteousness in Christ:
- Seek God’s presence through prayer, worship, and meditation on His Word.
- Guard your thoughts and fill your mind with things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent (Philippians 4:8).
- Practice forgiveness and extend grace to others, just as God has forgiven and extended grace to you.
- Submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide your decisions and actions.
- Love and serve others selflessly, demonstrating the love of Christ in your relationships and interactions.
By living out these principles, you can experience the transformative power of righteousness in Christ and walk in the abundant life that God has prepared for you.
| Transformed by | Transformed into |
|---|---|
| Sinful nature | Christlikeness |
| Self-centeredness | Selflessness |
| Unrighteousness | Righteousness |
| Bondage | Freedom |
| Fear | Faith |
What Impact Does this Righteousness Have on my Relationship With Others?
Being the righteousness of God in Christ should lead to love, forgiveness, compassion, and justice in interactions with others, reflecting the character and teachings of Jesus.
Conclusion
The righteousness of God through Christ is not just a simple concept, but a powerful reality that transforms the lives of believers. When we embrace this righteousness, we experience justification, adoption into God’s family, and ongoing sanctification.
By accepting Jesus as our Savior and relying on His finished work on the cross, we are declared righteous and forgiven of our sins. This righteousness is not based on our own efforts but is a gift from God. It empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to Him, guided by His Word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Understanding what it means to be righteous in Christ involves recognizing our new identity in Him and embracing the significance of this righteousness. It allows us to approach God as our loving Father and empowers us to overcome the power of sin in our lives.
When we look for growth and dependence on God’s grace, we can experience the fullness of life that He has for us. Embracing the righteousness of God in Jesus opens the door to a life of purpose, joy, and deep intimacy with our Heavenly Father.
3 Responses
I was looking for the scripture that reflects that we are the righteousness of Jesus Christ and came across your article. It’s perfect for what I wanted to express to a sister in need. Thank you!
I love this article. For those of us who are performance driven it demolishes the idea that we have to “work out our own salvation” totally by ourselves. The Holy Spirit is our helper in the sanctification process. This article brings peace.
This is a tremendous lesson, on the righteousness of God in us through Jesus Christ, who lives in us and produces in us His righteousness