Real Righteousness

After having reminded us of our sinful nature and that we cannot be justified by any deed of the flesh, we read the good news in  Romans 3:21-23:  “²¹ But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, ²² even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”  Real righteousness does not come by doing good works.  Rather, real righteousness is found in Jesus Christ.  Paul writes that this righteousness was witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. This is an expression for what we call the Old Testament.  Though they were writing hundreds of years before Christ, what Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc…wrote pointed to the righteousness of Christ.  There is no difference when it comes to the condemning nature of sin but thankfully there is also no difference when it comes to the redeeming power of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.  His righteousness is given to us through faith in Him.  2 Corinthians 5:21 reminds us of this:  “²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” As Paul begins a great section on salvation, let’s rejoice in the fact that God isn’t waiting for us to be righteous on our own.  Through Christ He has provided righteousness for us through Jesus.  That’s real righteousness.