RIGHTEOUSNESS—A GIFT FOR ALL MEN
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new
(2 Corinthians 5:17).
Righteousness is one of the three cardinal gifts of God, and it was offered to the whole world. The gift of righteousness is for all men. You might argue, “Why then does the Bible say, ‘As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one?’” (Romans 3:10). That’s the reason Jesus came, suffered, and died for all men.
He came into this world to make a righteous creation out of the unrighteous man. He died once, so that every man who hitherto was unrighteous could believe in Him and become righteous. Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
Legally speaking, every sinner in the world, including the atheist, has already been made righteous. However, because they haven’t activated the life of righteousness by being born again, they can’t experience the vital realities of the life of righteousness. They can’t produce the fruits
and works of righteousness.
It’s the reason we preach the Gospel; the world needs to know that the death and resurrection of Jesus has freed all men from the bondage of sin. Now, righteousness is available in Christ Jesus. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “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.”
Now that you’re born again, you’ve been brought into a new life of righteousness: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans
6:4). Righteousness is the nature of God that gives you right standing with God, and the nature to do right. This is your new nature in Christ; an intimate relationship with God is now possible. Hallelujah!
PRAYER
Righteous Father, I thank you for giving me your righteousness, and granting me the ability to boldly stand before you without guilt, condemnation, inferiority or blame. I’m righteousness-conscious. I rejoice in the gift of righteousness bequeathed to me through the death of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I reign in righteousness; I reign over circumstances and the elements of this world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:
Romans 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:20-22
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 & Isaiah 59-60
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Hebrews 6:11-20 & Ezekiel 8-9
