Chapter 2

by Praise Malinga

Righteousness is a gift from God, not something we can achieve on our own through good works.
As the apostle Paul wrote: But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: (Romans 3:21-22, KJV)

This passage clearly shows us that righteousness is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own efforts or good works.
The apostle Paul also wrote: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9, KJV)

What is righteousness to God?

Righteousness is a robe in the spirit, a covering that protects us from spiritual nakedness.
As Job wrote: "I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem." (Job 29:14, KJV)

This robe of righteousness is what covers us from our spiritual nakedness, making us acceptable to God.

How do we receive righteousness?

The Bible teaches us that we receive righteousness by believing in our Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul says: For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10, KJV)
This verse shows us that believing in our hearts and confessing with our mouths is the way to receive righteousness and salvation.

A great example of this is Abram, who believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. In Genesis it read: And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6, KJV)
Abram's faith in God was credited to him as righteousness, showing us that righteousness comes from believing in God, not from our own works or efforts.

The Israelites, however, tried to establish their own righteousness through works, rather than trusting in God's gift of righteousness. As the apostle Paul wrote in Romans:
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:3, KJV)

The Israelites thought they could earn their way into God's favor by following the law, but this is not the way to receive righteousness. As our Lord Jesus Christ said:
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20, KJV)

The scribes and Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the law, but Jesus said that their righteousness was not enough. We must receive the gift of righteousness that comes from God, through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than trying to establish our own.

What is our conclusion:
1. Righteousness is by believing in God.
2. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
After receiving Salvation and righteousness are you complete to see God, the answer is NO unless you successfully maintain the clean state of your robe which many fails in that and end up with filthy rags.

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