Understanding Righteousness!   by James Lantz      

</span>A simple way to define righteousness is being right. I think just about every one wants things to be right. We want to be treated right. We want to be paid right so we can take care of all our obligations. We want our leaders, pastors, parents, coaches, teachers and everyone else to do what is right. How good our life will become when we make right choices, say the right words, and always show up at the right place at the right time. Think about all the wonderful blessings in Christ Jesus becoming ours by praying to our gracious and righteous God from a position of righteousness. Pro.10:24  The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted. Again and again in the scriptures, God’s favor is granted to his righteous ones but the wicked receive judgement. Pro. 12:7  The wicked are over thrown, and are not; but the house of the righteous shall stand.  Pro.15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. The righteousness that Adam and Eve enjoyed in the beginning was lost when they chose to disobey God. Righteousness is a state of being in which we are right in God’s eyes. The word justification is also used in describing righteousness (just as if we never sinned). Righteousness is a requirement in order to enjoy friendship and fellowship with God. Adam’s sin was so deadly and far reaching that it effected every one of Adam’s descendants even till this day. Righteousness (being right) and sin do not mix! We are so used to being graded on the curve and judging ourselves by imperfect standards that it takes the word of God to set our thinking straight. God is completely pure and righteous and no sin can stay in his presence. When Adam and Eve sinned they lost the glory of God that was covering them and the blessing of the Lord. They were now naked and attempted to cover themselves with some fig leaves. Adam’s betrayal did not take God by surprise, nor did it stop God from loving his man. God, who loves us, had a plan to restore righteousness to his people who will obey him. Satan was pleased that he was able to persuade God’s man to move in disobedience to the heavenly Father’s command. There is a spiritual law, that when you sin you die. Gen. 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. This word die is referring to spiritual death.  Adam and Eve were immediately separated from God and eternally lost upon eating the forbidden fruit. They were changed from life to death. With sin came death, and with death came the curse.  Rom. 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:  We can see from the word of God sin is unrighteous (not right). We also see that there is the law of sin and death. There never will be a situation in which God says, I know you guys sinned, but it will not bring death this time. God is just and he is fair, he is not a respecter of persons. He will never say, since you are a professional football player your sin will have no consequences. God will say, there is forgiveness through my Son.

– Righteous is being right!

– Righteousness is the state of being right with God, free from sin which separates us from God. 

– Righteousness is what allows our prayers to be answered and for God’s favor to be on us!

– Unrighteousness is being and doing wrong. 

– Unrighteousness is sin. 

– Sin always brings death. It is a law that works every time!

The law is good and righteous and everyone who keeps the law is blessed! The problem is that no one, except the Lord Jesus, was able to keep the law, and if we break any of the commandments we are just as guilty as if we broke them all. God knew that we could not keep the law, but he gave us the law so that we could recognize our need for salvation! The good news is that God has done the impossible through the death, suffering, and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Justice requires that every sin must be punished. God, in His mercy, decided that He would pay for our sins with the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus. And while Jesus was at it, He purchased the full redemption for us, spirit, soul, and body!  Luke 18:27 . . . The things which are impossible with men are possible with God!  John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. God has made righteousness available on a gift basis, to everyone who will receive Jesus as the Lord of their life. God accounts us as righteous when we believe and confess that Jesus Christ righteousness is our righteousness. We rule with Christ in the kingdom of God through righteousness!    

   –  There is no one righteous in and of themselves!

         Isaiah 64:6  But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags . . .

        Rom. 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God

          Phil. 3:8&9 . . . that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,       which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness       which is of God by faith:

   –   Righteousness is a condition of the heart! The only ones who bear fruit are the righteous!      

        Luke 8:15  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart,   

                               having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

   –   Righteousness can not be earned!  You are made righteous when you are born again.

           2 Cor. 5:21 For he (God) hath made him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might                     be made the righteousness of God in him.

           Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he    saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost

   –   Righteousness is only available on a gift basis!

           Rom. 5:17  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.

   –   Righteousness must be received by faith!

           Rom. 4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth (makes righteous) the                  ungodly, his faith is counted for righteouness.

         Rom. 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth         confession is made unto salvation.

    –  The whole kingdom of God operates through righteousness! We must be righteous to enter the kingdom of      

       God and we must be walking in righteousness in order receive from the King of righteousness! 

         Mt. 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall               be added unto you.

        Heb. 1:8  . . . Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of               thy kingdom.