RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NOT RIGHT CONDUCT BUT A GIFT
Dr. Mike Okonkwo
6th May 2021
“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:17 (KJV)
Many people are still trying to work at becoming more righteous. They beat themselves up whenever they do wrong and lose their joy. You must first realize that righteousness is not about right conduct but a gift from God through Jesus Christ. A gift is never earned. So, all we need to do is to receive. We have received abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness in order to reign in life. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says: “for he hath made him sin for us who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (KJV). Stop attempting to establish your own righteousness by keeping some laws and by right conduct. You have already been made righteous by Jesus through His death on the cross. Just receive it.
The righteousness we received from Jesus at the cross is not inferior. So, you must stop every attempt to grade righteousness. It is the same class whether in heaven or on earth. God gave it and it is perfect! Jesus knew no sin, did no sin and in Him was no sin; but on the cross, He received our sin and became sin for us. In the same way, we were sinners who knew no righteousness, did no righteous and there was no righteousness in us; but at the cross, we received His righteousness and became His righteousness in Christ. Hallelujah!
It was at the cross that He took our place so that we could take his place. You are not righteous because of what you do, but because of who you are by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. You are not righteous because you are morally upright or that you exercise self-control. You became righteous because you exercised your faith in the sacrifice Jesus made for you. Righteousness is not right doing but right being.
Further reading: Romans 3:220-28; 4:5; 5:14-20
Daily Bible Reading: Morning – 1 Kings 21-22, Evening – Luke 23:26-56
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