Christ's Righteousness

As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to live righteous lives. But what is righteousness, and how can we attain it? The answer lies in understanding Christ's righteousness.

Righteousness is not only just about following a set of rules or laws. It's about having a right relationship with God. And that's exactly what Jesus Christ provides for us.

In Romans 3:22, we read, "This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." This verse tells us that Christ's righteousness is available to us through faith.

But how does this work? How can Christ's righteousness be imputed to us? The answer lies in the concept of substitution.

When Jesus died on the cross, He took our sin upon Himself. He became sin for us, so that we might become righteous before God. [Read Isaiah 53]

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. [Isaiah 53:3-5 NIV]

In 2 Corinthians 5:21, we read, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." This verse tells us that Jesus became sin for us, so that we might become righteous.

This is the heart of the Gospel. This is the good news that we proclaim to a lost and dying world.

But Christ's righteousness is not just a past event. It's also a present reality.

As believers, we are called to live out Christ's righteousness in our daily lives. We are called to be holy, just as He is holy.

In 1 Peter 1:15-16, we read, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This verse tells us that we are called to be holy, just as God is holy.

So how can we live out Christ's righteousness in our daily lives? The answer lies in understanding our identity in Christ.

As believers, we are not just only sinners saved by grace. We are saints, redeemed by the blood of Christ.

In Ephesians 1:1, we read, "To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus." This verse tells us that we are saints, set apart for God's purposes.

As saints, we are called to live out Christ's righteousness in our daily lives. We are called to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him to a lost and dying world.

In 2 Corinthians 5:20, we read, "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." This verse tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ, representing Him to a lost and dying world.

So let us live out Christ's righteousness in our daily lives. Let us be holy, just as He is holy. 

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. [Matthew 5:48 KJV]

Let us be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him to a lost and dying world. May we shine like stars in the darkness, reflecting the light of Christ's righteousness.

May we be conformed to the image of Christ, reflecting His righteousness in all we do.

In Christ's righteousness, we have the power to overcome sin and live victorious lives.

In Christ's righteousness, we have the power to be holy, just as He is holy. In Christ's righteousness, we have the power to be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him to a lost and dying world.

May we walk in the power of Christ's righteousness today and every day. May we shine like stars in the darkness, reflecting the light of Christ's righteousness.

May we be conformed to the image of Christ, reflecting His righteousness in all we do. May we live out Christ's righteousness in our daily lives, being holy, just as He is holy. May we be ambassadors for Christ, representing Him to a lost and dying world.

In closing, let us remember that Christ's righteousness is not just a past event, but a present reality. It's not just something we receive, but something we live out in our daily lives. May we walk in the power of Christ's righteousness today and every day.

Amen.