WHO??? ME? THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD?

God is righteous. In its simplest form, this means He is faithful to His relational covenant of love. He is true and just in His dealings with humankind, keeping the promises of His covenant. God’s character is expressed through His righteousness. Because His covenant is legally binding, perfect compliance with the statutes of the covenant is necessary to fulfill righteousness. God is perfect in keeping His side. Humankind is not. That is why Jesus came.

Jesus said to John the Baptist, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” ~ Matthew 3:15

The old covenant (Jewish Law) proved that time and again, humankind would fall short of God’s requirements. Our failure to keep His covenant meant we were legally bound to the consequences of breaking the relationship ending ultimately in death and an eternal separation from God.

But, Jesus, as a man, flawlessly fulfilled God’s old covenant on our behalf so that through faith in Jesus we might enter a condition of righteousness with God. To be righteous means that we are in a condition or state that is acceptable to God. To be righteous means that we have fulfilled all the requirements of His covenant.

And while we could not do this on our own, Jesus did. Thus, in Him, we conform to God’s righteousness, and we also are an expression of His righteousness.

This is where it gets really good! Go look in the mirror. No, really. I’m serious. Right now. If you’re not near a mirror look at yourself through your phone’s camera.

You, in Jesus, are the embodiment of God’s righteousness.

Now, look at yourself – in the eyes, say out loud, “I am the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD… in Jesus.” Say it again. And I mean move your lips and use your words. “I AM [emphasize] the righteousness of God… in Jesus. I, MYSELF, am GOD’s righteousness.” Declare it slowly and meaningfully.

If you were to imagine what God’s righteousness looks like – LOOK IN THE MIRROR. Look at YOURSELF!

How difficult was that? Did you find it challenging? If so, what does that say about how you see yourself? What identity do you believe about yourself? Do you think you are a sinner? Then you will probably act like one. But what happens if you believe YOU ARE the righteousness of God – His righteousness? How will this affect your relationship with Him? How will it impact your behavior?

Here is the absolute truth:

“For He made Him [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

You, in Jesus, are the embodiment of God’s righteousness.

This blows my mind. So many times, I have looked in the mirror and seen only “ugly”. I’m not talking so much about physical appearance, but rather an overall feeling of unworthiness, deficiency, displeasure, disappointment, a loser, a failure. And the feelings seemed justified – I mean, look at my behavior.

But that’s NOT what God sees. If I could see myself from His perspective, how might that change the way I live?

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus.

Can you agree with God on this point? If you are in a genuine relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, then He has “blotted out the [legal] handwriting of requirements against you” (Colossians 2:14). The claims against you of a broken covenant are gone because of Jesus’ work on the cross and resurrection.

NOW YOU ARE the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD in JESUS!

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” ~ Colossians 1:13-14

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17

Look in the mirror again. WHO are you? Still doubting? It’s ok. Changing how you see yourself can take time, but change requires speaking the truth.

So, let’s try the “7-day righteousness challenge”: Instead of waking up tomorrow and trying to live righteously, wake up knowing you are the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God. Affirm it by looking at yourself, face to face, in the mirror, and make the declaration of truth, “I AM the RIGHTEOUSNESS of GOD in JESUS”. Believe it and accept it. Agree with God about WHO He says you are. Focus on WHO you are and let that truth determine WHAT you do.

Practice this for 7 days or until you can say it confidently and walk out your day in harmony with this reality.