Paul shared very succinctly: righteousness is “of faith that it might be according to grace” (Romans 4:16). He was referring to the like kind of faith Abraham had: trusting faith in God’s promise; and trusting faith in the One who would fulfill the promise—Messiah Jesus. He shared some more details.
“People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law” (Romans 3:25-28 NLT).
RELEVANCE
We live in a society of rules and regulations. Every just society has some set of laws to set standards and guidelines of behavior and ways of conducting the affairs of life. With the laws are consequences of stepping outside the law.
As far as righteousness before God, the standard is Messiah Jesus. God reset the Law of Moses in Him. Jesus didn’t abolish the Law; He fulfilled it. He gave it more relevant meaning. He explained its greater purposes and intent. Aspects of the Law that were concealed in shadows and symbols were revealed in Him. Truly He upgraded it. He revealed the heart of the Father and released the enablement of the Holy Spirit to provide grace and power to live the way God envisioned and ordained.
REFLECT AND RELATE
What is your framework of understanding righteousness? You may have to put aside religious teaching and traditions. There are no rituals or sacraments that define righteousness; our standing or salvation in God’s eyes. There are practices like baptism and the Lord’s Supper that affirm, but do not define righteousness. God is about relationships; not rituals. Our relationship with Him is based on trust from the heart; not mental assent or subscription to a set of rules.
REFERENCES
Colossians 2:1-3:25