Lesson Description

In this lesson, we will discover how a person receives God’s righteousness according to the Scriptures. We will learn why righteousness is received through faith in Jesus Christ rather than earned through religious activities, personal goodness, or human effort. We will also explore the example of Abraham and understand how God’s grace allows us to stand before Him justified through faith.

1. Righteousness Is Received Through Faith

God has provided righteousness through Jesus Christ, and we receive it through faith. We do not become righteous by trying to prove that we deserve God’s acceptance. Instead, we believe the Gospel and trust in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us.

Romans 4:3 (KJV)

“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”

Abraham’s example teaches us an important truth. God counted his faith for righteousness. Abraham did not establish his righteousness by achieving perfection through his own efforts. He believed what God had spoken.

In the same way, we receive God’s righteousness by believing in Jesus Christ. Our confidence rests in God’s promise and Christ’s finished work, not in our ability to earn His favour.

2. We Receive Righteousness by Grace, Not by Works

Grace means that God provides what we could never earn through our own efforts. Righteousness is not a salary God pays us for our religious activities. It is a gift that we receive through faith.

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.”

Notice the expression “the gift of righteousness.” A gift is received; it is not earned as payment for work.

This does not mean that prayer, Bible study, serving others, or living a godly life are unimportant. These things have their proper place in the Christian life, but they are not the price we pay to obtain righteousness.

We serve God because of His grace and because we have received new life in Christ, not to persuade Him to give us a righteous standing.

3. Jesus Christ Is the Foundation of Our Righteousness

Our righteousness is inseparable from Jesus Christ and His finished work. We cannot separate the gift of righteousness from the One through whom God has provided it.

Philippians 3:9 (KJV)

“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

Paul contrasts his own righteousness with the righteousness that comes from God through faith.

Paul had once placed great confidence in his religious background and achievements. However, he came to understand that these things could not provide the righteousness God gives through Christ.

This teaches us not to place our confidence in religious titles, church positions, family traditions, or personal achievements. Our confidence must be in Jesus Christ.

Being a pastor, a Bible teacher, a church member, or a person who prays frequently does not replace the need to trust in Christ. Righteousness is found in Him.

4. Does Faith Mean We Must Earn God’s Righteousness by Being Perfect First?

No. The Gospel does not tell us to become perfect through our own efforts before we can receive God’s righteousness. It calls us to believe in Jesus Christ.

Romans 3:24 (KJV)

“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

The word freely is important. Our justification is provided by God’s grace through the redemption found in Jesus Christ.

God does not ask us to pay for what Christ has already accomplished. We receive His provision through faith.

As believers, we continue to learn, grow, and allow God’s Word to correct our thinking and conduct. We should not confuse this growth with the process of earning righteousness.

We grow because we belong to Christ. We do not grow in order to persuade God to give us a gift that He has already made available through His Son.

5. What Should Our Response Be?

Our response should be to believe God’s Word, thank Him for His grace, and live in the confidence of what Jesus Christ has accomplished.

When we understand that righteousness is received through faith, we no longer need to measure our acceptance before God by comparing ourselves with other people.

Instead, we can acknowledge that our hope is in Christ alone.

This understanding also helps us avoid two mistakes:

• Trusting in our own goodness: believing that our religious activities or good deeds make us deserving of righteousness.

• Treating grace as permission to live carelessly: assuming that because righteousness is a gift, our choices and conduct no longer matter.

The Gospel teaches neither self-righteousness nor careless living. It directs us to trust in Christ and to live in response to the grace we have received.

6. Practical Example

Imagine someone who believes that God will only accept him after he has prayed for many hours, fasted for several days, or performed enough good deeds.

Whenever he fails to meet his own expectations, he becomes afraid that he has lost his standing before God. He continually tries to earn what he believes he has not yet received.

Now consider another person who has believed in Jesus Christ and understands that righteousness is God’s gift through faith.

This person also prays, studies the Bible, serves others, and seeks to live according to God’s Word. However, he does these things in response to God’s grace, not as a payment for righteousness.

When he makes a mistake, he does not pretend that the mistake is unimportant. He acknowledges it, learns from God’s Word, and continues trusting in Christ.

The difference is not that one person does good things and the other does not. The difference is the foundation of their confidence before God.

One tries to earn righteousness; the other trusts in the righteousness God provides through Jesus Christ.

Remember

We receive God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, by His grace, not through our own works or achievements.

Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. In the same way, our confidence rests in God’s provision through Jesus Christ. We do not work to purchase righteousness; we live in response to the grace we have received.

Key Scriptures to Remember:

• Romans 4:3

• Romans 5:17

• Philippians 3:9

• Romans 3:24