Lesson Description
In this lesson, we will examine what the Bible teaches about our identity and righteousness in Christ. We will learn the difference between our former condition apart from Christ and our new standing through His finished work. We will discover that righteousness is not something we earn through our own efforts, but a gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ. We will also explore how this truth affects the way we understand ourselves and live as believers.
1. Understanding Our Former Condition
The Bible teaches that humanity was affected by sin and could not establish righteousness before God through personal effort or obedience to the law.
Romans 3:23 (KJV)
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
This verse describes humanity’s need for God’s salvation. No one can boast of having earned God’s acceptance through personal goodness.
However, the gospel does not leave us in our former condition. Through Jesus Christ, God has provided the righteousness we could never establish by our own works.
We must therefore understand both truths: humanity’s need for salvation and God’s provision of righteousness through Christ.
2. We Have Become the Righteousness of God in Christ
One of the remarkable truths of the gospel is that God has made believers righteous through Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Jesus Christ knew no sin, yet He took our place so that we could receive the righteousness God provides through Him.
Notice the words, “in him.” Our righteousness is connected to our relationship with Christ. It is not a reward for perfect behaviour, nor is it something we achieve by trying to impress God.
This means that believers can approach God with confidence in Christ’s finished work rather than relying on their own record of good deeds.
3. Righteousness Is a Gift of Grace
If righteousness depended on our ability to obey perfectly, no one could stand before God on the basis of personal achievement.
The good news is that righteousness is received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17 (KJV)
“For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.”
Paul describes righteousness as a gift. A gift is received, not earned as a payment for work.
When we understand this truth, we stop treating our relationship with God as though we must earn His acceptance every day. We learn to rest in His grace and trust what Christ has accomplished for us.
This does not mean that our actions are unimportant. Rather, our actions are not the price we pay to receive righteousness.
4. Does Righteousness Mean We Never Sin?
No. Receiving righteousness through Christ does not mean that believers become incapable of making mistakes or committing sin.
The Bible distinguishes between what God has accomplished for us in Christ and how we conduct ourselves in daily life. Our new identity is real, but we still need to learn, grow, and allow God’s Word to shape our choices.
1 John 2:1 (KJV)
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”
John encourages believers not to sin, while also acknowledging what happens if a believer does sin. He points to Jesus Christ as our advocate.
We should not use grace as an excuse to practise wrongdoing. Neither should we conclude that every mistake means we have lost our identity in Christ.
Instead, we should acknowledge the truth, receive correction from God’s Word, and continue to grow in our understanding and conduct.
5. We Should No Longer Define Ourselves by Condemnation
Some Christians continually condemn themselves because of their past or because they struggle with weaknesses. They may believe that God sees them only through their failures.
Yet the Bible teaches that those who are in Christ are no longer under condemnation.
Romans 8:1 (KJV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Our confidence before God rests in Jesus Christ, not in our ability to produce a perfect personal record.
When we fail, we can respond honestly and responsibly without allowing shame to become our identity. We can receive instruction, make necessary changes, and continue trusting God’s grace.
Conviction and correction can help us recognize what needs to change. Condemnation, however, should not lead us to believe that Christ’s finished work has become insufficient.
6. A Practical Example
Imagine two believers who have both made mistakes.
The first believes that every mistake makes them worthless and unacceptable to God. They withdraw in shame and begin to think that there is no hope for them.
The second recognizes the seriousness of the mistake but remembers what Scripture teaches about righteousness in Christ. They acknowledge what happened, seek to make things right where necessary, learn from God’s Word, and continue walking in faith.
The second believer is not claiming that wrongdoing does not matter. They are responding from the confidence that their righteousness rests in Christ rather than in their own perfection.
Understanding righteousness helps us face our failures honestly without allowing them to become our permanent identity.
Remember
Through Jesus Christ, believers receive the gift of righteousness by God’s grace. Our righteousness is not earned through good works, and our new identity does not mean we are incapable of making mistakes. We can acknowledge wrongdoing, grow in our conduct, and approach God with confidence because our standing rests in Christ’s finished work.