Righteousness: The Path to Being Right with God Through Faith in Jesus Christ

The Universal Quest for Righteousness

Have you ever felt the weight of your mistakes, the burden of guilt, or the longing to be truly right with God? You’re not alone. The quest for righteousness—a state of being right with God—is a universal human desire. Yet, so many of us struggle to find it. Romans chapter 1 offers a transformative message about righteousness, revealing that it’s not something we can achieve on our own. It’s a gift, made possible only through faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s dive into this life-changing truth and discover how you can experience the righteousness that brings peace, purpose, and eternal life.

The Problem: Humanity’s Separation from God

Romans 1:18-32 paints a sobering picture of humanity’s condition. It reveals that all people have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Despite knowing God through creation and conscience, humanity rejected Him, choosing instead to worship created things rather than the Creator. This rebellion led to moral decay, broken relationships, and spiritual death.

The keyword here is righteousness, or rather, the lack of it. On our own, we are unrighteous—separated from God by our sin. No amount of good deeds, religious rituals, or moral efforts can bridge this gap. The harder we try, the more we realize our inadequacy. This is the human dilemma: we need righteousness, but we cannot produce it ourselves.

The Solution: Righteousness Through Faith in Jesus Christ

But here’s the good news: Romans 1:16-17 declares, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”

The gospel—the message of Jesus Christ—is the solution to our problem. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus accomplished what we could not. He lived a perfect, sinless life, fulfilling God’s standard of righteousness. On the cross, He took the punishment for our sins, offering us forgiveness and reconciliation with God. And when we place our faith in Him, His righteousness is credited to us.

This is the heart of the gospel: righteousness is not earned; it is received by faith. It’s not about what we do; it’s about what Jesus has done for us. When we believe in Him, we are declared right with God, not because of our works, but because of His grace.

How to Receive God’s Righteousness

1. Acknowledge Your Need: The first step to receiving righteousness is admitting that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Romans 3:10 reminds us, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” Humble yourself before God and confess your need for His forgiveness.
2. Believe in Jesus Christ: Righteousness comes through faith. Romans 10:9 says, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Place your trust in Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
3. Receive God’s Gift: Righteousness is a gift, not a reward. Ephesians 2:8-9 emphasizes, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” Accept this gift with gratitude and live in the freedom it brings.

The Transformative Power of Righteousness

When you receive God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus, your life is transformed. Here’s what changes:

• Peace with God: Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” No longer are you at odds with God; you are His beloved child.
• Freedom from Guilt: The burden of sin and shame is lifted. You are forgiven, cleansed, and made new.
• A New Identity: You are no longer defined by your past mistakes. In Christ, you are righteous, holy, and dearly loved.
• Eternal Life: Righteousness secures your place in God’s family forever. Romans 6:23 declares, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Your Righteousness Starts Today

The message of Romans 1 is clear: righteousness is not something you can achieve on your own. It’s a gift, made possible through faith in Jesus Christ. If you’ve been striving to earn God’s approval, it’s time to stop. Instead, turn to Jesus, believe in Him, and receive the righteousness that only He can provide.

Are you ready to experience the life-changing power of God’s righteousness? Pray this simple prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner in need of Your grace. I believe that You died for my sins and rose again to give me new life. I place my faith in You and receive Your righteousness as a gift. Thank You for making me right with God. Help me to live for You from this day forward. Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, you are now right with God! Welcome to the family of faith. Share this good news with others and live in the freedom and joy of your new identity in Christ.

Spread Jesus’ Good News to Win Souls for God’s Kingdom

If this message resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Leave a comment below about how God is transforming your life through His righteousness. And if you haven’t yet placed your faith in Jesus, don’t wait—today is the day to be made right with God!