Eight times we find the phrase, “the righteousness of God” in the Scriptures, and five of them are in the epistle to the Romans. The word “righteousness” has both a doctrinal and a practical implication.
Doctrinally, righteousness is that right standing with God that comes when a person repents of their sin and places total trust in the finished work of atonement by the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 10:3,4; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Practically, righteousness is that day-to-day walk of the believer in communion with Christ, by the Person of the Holy Spirit, for the glory of the Father (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3; Galatians 5:16). So, when a person is in right standing with God, there is going to be the inevitable right living before God (Philippians 1:11).
As we come to the communion table this morning, we are reminded of Christ’s righteousness, not ours (2 Peter 1:1). The righteousness that makes us citizens of heaven comes from Jesus and is imputed or given to those who believe in Him (Romans 4:5-6).
No man is born with the righteousness of God; it is what is given to us when we are born again (1 Peter 1:23). However, having been made righteous, we are called to surrender ourselves totally to Christ as vessels of righteousness (Romans 6:13-19).
May we live out our faith in a way that brings glory and honor to our glorious heavenly Father.
