In what ways can we seek God's righteousness through Jesus Christ? Recognizing Our Need for Righteousness • Job 25:4 asks, “How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure?” • The question exposes our universal problem: sin has left every person unrighteous (Romans 3:23). • Scripture shows that our best efforts or religious works can never bridge the gap (Isaiah 64:6). • Admitting this need is the first step toward seeking God’s righteousness through Jesus Christ. Receiving Christ’s Righteousness by Faith • God answers Job’s dilemma in Jesus: “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). • Righteousness is a gift, not a reward. “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:22-24). • Paul’s testimony: he wants to “be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ” (Philippians 3:9). • Practical step: turn from self-reliance and place wholehearted trust in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Resting in Justification and Peace • The moment we believe, God declares us righteous—justified. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). • “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). • Our standing before God is settled; we no longer strive to earn acceptance but live from acceptance. Pursuing Daily Fellowship and Cleansing • While justified, we still stumble. God provides ongoing cleansing: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). • Regular confession keeps fellowship with the Father vibrant and our conscience clear. • The believer continually “draws near” (Hebrews 10:22) with confidence because Christ’s blood has opened the way. Walking in the Spirit • We seek God’s righteousness in practice by yielding to the Holy Spirit: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • The Spirit empowers new desires and produces His fruit—love, joy, peace, and the rest (Galatians 5:22-23). • Dependence on the Spirit replaces self-effort with divine enablement. Anchoring in the Word • Scripture is the Spirit’s primary tool for shaping righteous living. – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). – “All Scripture is God-breathed and…so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Practical habits: daily reading, memorizing, and meditating on God’s Word renew the mind and guard the heart. Expressing Righteousness through Obedience and Service • Saving faith acts: “Faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead” (James 2:17). • God has “prepared in advance” good works for His children to walk in (Ephesians 2:10). • Obedience includes: – Seeking God’s priorities first (Matthew 6:33). – Loving neighbor in tangible ways (1 John 3:18). – Practicing integrity in home, workplace, and community (Colossians 3:23-24). Bearing Fruit in Community • Righteous living flourishes in fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Corporate worship, accountability, and mutual encouragement help us stay aligned with Christ’s righteousness. • Gifts of the Spirit are exercised in the body for “the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Looking toward the Blessed Hope • Christ’s righteousness will be fully revealed when He returns: “We eagerly await a Savior…who will transform our lowly bodies” (Philippians 3:20-21). • This hope motivates purity now: “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:3). • Until that day, we keep answering Job’s ancient question by clinging to and reflecting the righteousness freely given in Jesus Christ. |
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