“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21; NKJV).
Christ died on a cross so that we could be forgiven. for our sins (Col 1:14) and walk by God’s grace in His righteousness (Rom 5:17).
When we acknowledge our need for Him, repent of sin, ask His forgiveness and ask Him into our lives to have control (Rom 10:9,10), He comes and we receive His abundant life (John 10:10) and righteousness.
God sees us as righteous (2 Cor 5:21) and justified (Rom 4:25). Righteousness is to have right standing with God, in line with His will for us, acquitted of sin.
To be justified is to be made, “just as if we had never sinned!” God does not remember our sins (Heb 8:12). God blesses the righteous (Ps 5:12, Matt 5:6), brings peace, quietness and guards us (Isa 32:17, Prov 13:6). He also delivers us from evil (Ps 34:19, Prov 11:6).
Our Lord hears the prayer of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12) and brings life (Prov 12:28).
In the book of Proverbs, we read that, “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Prov 14:34). We are God’s righteousness but as with every aspect of our new life as Christians we need to grow in righteousness.
We are exhorted to seek (Matt 6:33) and pursue righteousness (2 Tim 2:22), “hunger and thirst for it” (Matt 5:6).
We grow in righteousness by allowing the Bible to instruct us (2 Tim 3:16), walking in faith (Phil 3:9) and allowing the Holy Spirit to change us (2 Cor 3:18).
Remember that the righteous “are as bold as a lion” (Prov 28:1), bold to tell the world about Jesus!
Norman and Jean Rawlings were born in England, educated in the USA, and have lived in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada for over 50 years. They have four children, eight grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Both longtime Christians, they are now retired (“refired”). Norman served as a Professor and Associate Dean at the University of Saskatchewan, and Jean worked as a Speech and Language Pathologist. They serve as ordained senior care pastors at Bridge Ministry International Church in Saskatoon. Committed to teaching God’s Word and helping others grow in Christ, they minister through leadership, teaching, and writing. They have authored two books: The Life Changing Light of God’s Word (2022) and On the Way: Basic Christian Training (2014). More information can be found at www.onthewayinlove.com.
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Books by Norman & Jean Rawlings:
Correct, true righteousness is a, “hunger” for spiritual integrity, which brings peace, healing, and demonstrates one’s unity with God, the only source of goodness.
Your friend – His servant,
Isaac Otieno