Word Study Wednesday - Righteousness

I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith.” ~~Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)

Righteousness. How does one become righteous? By obeying all the rules? Have you obeyed all the rules? Never sinned? According to Scriptures, we all have sinned and fall short.

What is righteousness? According to the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance it means

1. in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God

1. the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
2. integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting

If we cannot follow all the rules or laws, how are we to obtain “the condition acceptable to God?” None of us have to power in us to obtain righteousness, but as it says in verse 17, “a righteousness that is by faith.” We must have faith. But faith in what?

Since righteousness is unobtainable by human efforts, it is achieved by faith in the gospel of Christ. “In response to faith this righteousness is imputed by God in justification and imparted progressively in regeneration and sanctification, culminating in glorification when standing and state become identical.”^[1]

Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4. In many English versions you’ll see the word “just” translated for righteous. These two words are closely related in the Greek. “Righteousness” is dikaiosynē, and “justify” is dikaioō. To justify a person is to declare him forensically (legally) righteous. As a result of faith in Christ, a person is declared “righteous” and is given eternal life. What a marvelous work of God!”^[2]

Therefore, as we focus on Christ, the Messiah, this season we by faith believe He was born of a virgin. But let us also believe that He was the Lamb who was slain, and rose again. By faith in Jesus, we are approved by God--righteous. If we have God’s approval, we can boldly and unashamedly declare the gospel to this world.

Engrafted by His Grace--

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^[1]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:441

^[2]Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:441