What Does It Mean to be Righteous – Part 2
Therefore, having been made righteous by trusting, we have shalom with God through our Lord Yeshua the Messiah. Through Him, we also have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand and boast in the hope of God’s glory. Romans 5:1-2 TLV
The Bible clearly states that we are made righteous through faith in Yeshua and the sacrifice He made for our sins and that we are saved by that same faith. It’s not our righteousness, but His. Abraham was also made righteous through his faith. God told him to go to a land that He would show him. Abraham obeyed.
Then he [Abraham] believed in Adonai and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:6 TLV
Righteousness is the exact opposite of sinfulness. It is the perfect holiness of Yeshua. It is only through this perfect righteousness, Yeshua’s perfect righteousness, that you’ll be able to stand before the Father.
When you sin, you go against God and His will for your life. For righteousness to be accomplished in you, you must humble yourself and confess your sins and then be clothed in the righteousness of Yeshua.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 TLV
Are all good deeds the same? No.
Doing the right thing (righteous acts) for the wrong reasons (to look good to others) is not righteousness. Doing good things so that other people will see how good or holy you are is what the Pharisees did. It’s a sin. A righteous person does good deeds to glorify God, not themselves.
Then I will give them one heart. I will put a new Spirit within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, so that they may follow My laws, keep My ordinances and practice them. They will be My people and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:19-20
Righteousness requires a heart change; and, changing your heart and making you truly righteous is a work for the Ruach HaKodesh. It is only after the Spirit of God changes your heart that you can be made righteous through Yeshua.
Are you ready to do what it takes to become righteous?
Second Timothy 2:22 tells us that we are supposed to pursue righteousness, but we're unable to get it for ourselves. It is only through the atoning sacrifice that Yeshua accomplished on the cross that we are able to become righteous. We can’t do it ourselves. Yeshua did it for us.
He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 TLV
Romans 3:23 tells us, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It is only through Yeshua’s righteousness that we will be able to enter His kingdom.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and Torah scholars, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven! Matthew 5:20 TLV
The Pharisees and Torah scholars had studied the Word of God their whole lives. They knew all the rules and followed them, yet that was not enough. It is only through Yeshua than any of us will be allowed to spend eternity with God.
Still, God has given us a set of laws that He has laid out for us in the Torah. We continue to follow these laws out of obedience. Through Yeshua, we are made righteous. Through our obedience, we are live a life that is being sanctified.
I will rejoice greatly in Adonai. My soul will be joyful in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me in a robe of righteousness— like a bridegroom wearing a priestly turban, like a bride adorning herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10 TLV
Have you ever thought of righteousness in this way ... that we can only be righteous through Yeshua and it’s not anything we can do for ourselves?
Let's Pray:
Heavenly Father, send your spirit, the Ruach HaKodesh, to change my heart. Increase my desire for you and teach me to find delight in Your Word and in Your law. I accept the sacrifice that Yeshua made for me and through it alone I am made righteous.
I was asked to create a set of devotionals for the youth in my congregation. If you enjoyed this devotional and want to read more, click here.
I use the name, Yeshua, because that is the name my congregation uses. You may better know Him as Jesus. The Ruach HaKodesh you may know better as the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
Cindy
© 2020 Cindy Murdoch
