The Gift of Righteousness
 But now the righteousness of
God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the
Prophets, even the righteousness of God, which is through faith in Jesus Christ
to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace (Romans
3:21-24)
In the gospel of Jesus Christ, "the righteousness of God apart from the
law is revealed." It is the same righteousness that is spoken of in the
law, that is, "being witnessed by the Law." However, in the law
righteousness is an impossible standard being imposed. In the gospel, it is a
gracious gift being offered. The basic manner in which Jesus fulfills the law
of God for us is by justifying us "freely by His grace." He does this
by offering us "the righteousness of God which is through faith."
This gift of righteousness is available to all who believe, to all who put
their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Savior and Lord. This gift is,
of course, free to the recipients. Yet, it was made available at great cost to
the giver. This gift cost the Father His only begotten Son. This gift cost the
Son His own life, as He paid the price of redemption to buy us back from the
slave market of sin and death.
Every person ever created needs this redemption price paid for him or her.
"For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the
glory of God." Now, for all who believe in the Lord Jesus, the
righteousness of God is imputed to them, that is, credited as a gift to their
heavenly account. Thereby, the Lord God justifies us "freely by His
grace." The Lord declares us righteous in sight by giving to us "the
righteousness of God which is through faith."
We were all born into Adam's physical family - the family line that leads to
certain death. All of us have reaped the results of Adam's sin. We have
inherited his guilt, a sinful nature (the tendency to sin), and God's punishment.
Because of Jesus, however, we can trade judgment for forgiveness. We can trade
our sin for Jesus' righteousness. Christ offers us the opportunity to be born
into his spiritual family - the family line that begins with forgiveness and
leads to eternal life. If we do nothing, we have death through Adam; but if we
come to God by faith, we have life through Christ. Which family line do you now
belong to?
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