We Need Righteousness, His Righteousness

And may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.–Philippians 3:9


First man was given the Ten Commandments. Some kept them. Next came the Law; some, in their own estimation, kept it and became self-righteous. They did not understand that we need a life, not a list.Jesus, on purpose, set a standard that we could never achieve. His challenge to us was not that we try hard but a challenge to give up; He wanted us to see that a righteousness that would please God is unattainable for man. With His life on earth He raised the bar so high that all men would give up trying to jump over it. Therefore, Jesus said, “Whoever is angry shall be guilty” and “Whoever looks with lust has committed adultery” (Matthew 5:22 & 28). At that, many began to drop out of the righteousness contest. Some stayed. Then came the final blow, “If your hand offends you cut it off, if your eye, pluck it out.” At that, no one was left to play the self-righteousness game. Jesus did not want us cutting off our hand or going about blind; He wanted us to see that we could not be righteous. We, however, want to find righteousness in ourselves and are surprised when we find none. We even expectantly look for it in others. Telling the people about all of the evil they are doing and how badly they are missing the mark is what many modern-day “prophets” enjoy doing, but that information should surprise no one. It is all summed up in one verse: “There are none righteous, no not one!” The righteousness that we need can only come through Jesus, the only One that is pure righteousness. Once we admit that we cannot be righteous, we will accept His. Righteousness is a gift no less than are faith and salvation. In Him we find everything that we have looked for elsewhere in vain. 

- Mike Wells

I am not sure that many in church circles really have a grasp on what God tells us in His Word about the need for righteousness, and that we Believers have, and are, righteous.  And, instead of critiquing and criticizing sinners, we need to just share the Gospel, and the gift of His righteousness.