“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

The Old Testament often references the distinction between the righteous and unrighteous. At that time, Christ had not died on the cross and rose to free us from the slavery we were under of sin and death. Praise be to God that all of us reading this now live in new covenant times! Christ had paid the cost for us to be completely and fully reconciled to God the Father. Upon accepting Jesus as our LORD and Savior, we now become the righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. That means that God the Father sees us as righteous in His eyes. How cool is that!

As Pastor Joseph Prince puts it, “My friend, the truth is that if you are a believer, God does not bring any charge against you. Instead, He justifies you because of the blood of His Son. In fact, God’s Word goes on to say that the One who has the right to condemn you, chose instead to die for you and is risen at the Father’s right hand to be your righteousness (Romans 8:34)."

Now this does not mean we should walk in whatever way WE see fit but rather walk in the way God has called us to as His holy and dearly loved children. As Paul writes, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:1-4). This new life not only includes the heavenly life we will experience one day but also the new life we are to live here on earth. None of us are perfect but praise be to God that our righteousness stands firm in Jesus Christ and not our own works!

Fun fact: In the Old Testament, we actually see that one of the first faithful followers of God was credited righteous by his FAITH in God, not by works (Genesis 15:6). This was Abraham. Similarly, David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God deems righteous apart from works (Psalm 32:1,2). So neat to see how God was giving those in Old Covenant times a glimpse into what was to come!

Family and Friends, be encouraged today to see yourself how God the Father sees you... as righteous and holy in His eyes. Wake up with the reminder that you are God's children and GET the opportunity to be in close relation with Him all day long!

Much love!