For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).
According to the Bible, we have the righteousness of Christ. The believer who was born again yesterday and the one who’s been born again forty years have the same righteousness. This righteousness is God’s righteousness which was imparted to your spirit as a gift: “…they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life” (Romans 5:17-18).
Because we received God’s own righteousness the moment we were born again, we’re now God’s righteous ones. We’re as righteous as He is righteous. This is the reason no Christian can be more righteous than another Christian. We all received the same righteousness, and according to God’s Word, we received it as a gift.
Therefore, it’s no use trying to impress God with your works or self-righteousness if you’re not born again because the Bible says such “…righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). No wonder He chose to give us His own righteousness. If you’re born again, you’re God’s righteousness. Accept this truth, and let it dominate your thinking—you’re as righteous as God is righteous. This should give you confidence and boldness in life.
Being conscious that you’re the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus gives you mastery over the devil and his accusations. It makes you a master in life for the Bible declares that they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness, shall reign in life as kings (Romans 5:17).
Prayer
Dear Father, thank you for giving me your righteousness as a gift and inspiring in me the day-to-day consciousness that I’m as righteous as Jesus is righteous. I ask that today, you’ll help me understand more, the glorious benefits of the right standing I enjoy with you. Help me walk in the fullness of this reality, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study
2 Corinthians 5:21: “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
1 Corinthians 1:30: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
