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Faq’s Concerning The Righteousness of God
Who is Righteousness given to?
Righteousness is given to all that believe.
“…even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe…” (Romans 3:22)
How is it given to those that believe?
It is given to us as a gift to those who are justified and redeemed.
Redemption, another uncommon word, is what ensures your right standing with God. Just like when you “redeem” a certificate at a local store, there is an exchange; you pass what you are holding to the clerk and the clerk “redeems” it for the promised value. Likewise when we were redeemed at the cross of Jesus an exchange was made - He was made sin (our holdings) and we were made righteous (His holdings). This is most perfectly described in 2nd Corinthians 5:21 as follows:
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Then also in Romans 5:17 Paul speaks of the value of this gift:
“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”
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24)
I have been told that this is “positional” righteousness only and that now I must work to be “experientially” righteous; doesn’t this negate the gift?
This is a common teaching throughout the contemporary church and although one might understand why; this premise is not found in the teachings of Paul through any direct reference or scripture.
Isn’t our righteousness revealed by keeping the Law?
No. The erroneous teaching of combining Grace Righteousness with Law Righteousness was a common error found in the first century church. Paul was constantly on alert to this error brought correction to it on every occasion using less than polite words. He confronted this issue with the Galatians and even at one point needed to confront Peter who also was being swayed. The entire Book of Hebrews is devoted to correct those who were once saved by grace and then began to return to the law. The New Testament is explicating of righteousness apart from the law:
“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets” (Romans 3:21)
Who does the Law speak to then?
The law speaks to those under the law:
“Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19)
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14)
“Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:9-10)
Can we be made righteous by the Law?
No. A man is not justified (made righteous) by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.
“Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20)
“knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Galatians 2:16)
“But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”(Galatians 3:11)
“I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.” (Galatians 2:21)
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