RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH
"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: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Rom 3:21-26)
ELABORATING ON THE RIGHTEOUSNESS
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested . . . "
It should not surprise us that the Christian community is sharply divided on the precise nature of this righteousness. I will list a few of these views because of the pivotal nature of this passage. Also, very little is said these days about this passage on "the righteousness of God."
1. Origen (185-254) understood this to be God's attribute of justice.
2. Chrysostom (347-407) Felt it referred to Divine clemency, or His mercifulness to forgive.
3. John Campbell (1800-1872) said it consisted in man's conformity to the declared will of God.
4. Macknight taught the righteousness of God signified the righteousness belonging to faith itself.
5. Bishop Newcomb translated the phrase "the righteousness of God" as "God's method of justification."
6. Tholuck said of this verse, "The Gospel makes known a way to the perfect fulfillment of the law which is required by God."
7. Stuart explains "the righteousness of God" is "the justification God bestows." (Taken from Haldane's Commentary on Romans)
RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTIFICATION
It is necessary to understand that "righteousness" and "justification" are not synonymous. While they come from the same root word, they do not mean the same thing. "Righteousness" is a STATE of unblemished character. "Justification" is THE MEANS by which this character is imparted to men.
In my judgment, we must avoid the notion that God makes men righteous by giving them the ability to keep His Law. While the righteousness of the Law IS fulfilled in those who are righteous, it is fulfilled by their walk in the Spirit. As it is written, "That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit" (Rom 8:4). In this case, character is not the result of the fulfillment of the Law, but the fulfillment is a result of character. While this may appear to be a fine distinction, it is a necessary one. Prior to this, the book of Romans has affirmed that man's doing has been his undoing. Salvation does not rest upon man's doing, but upon GOD'S doing. That is why HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS is given to us, rather than a law, demanding that we develop our own righteousness.
Righteousness is the result of Divine creation, not human doing. Isaiah prophesied of this day of salvation, "You heavens above, rain down righteousness; let the clouds shower it down. Let the earth open wide, let salvation spring up, let righteousness grow with it; I, the LORD, have created it" (Isa 45:8, NIV). In confirmation of this, our state in Christ is described by the Spirit in these words. "Put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been CREATED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS and holiness of the truth" (Eph 4:24, NASB).
The "new man" is nothing less than the result of God's "gift of righteousness" (Rom 5:17). That nature is described in this manner: "the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Him that created him" (Col 3:10). Believers are admonished to "put on" the new man.
We are apprized that this new nature, or the part of us that is "born of God," is not capable of sin. Nor, indeed, can Satan touch this part of us. "Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God" (1 John 3:8). And again, "We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him" (1 John 5:18). That nature is "the righteousness of God" – the Divine nature, given to us because of Christ and through our faith.
To "put on the new man" is to live by faith and walk in the Spirit. It is to provide a spiritual climate in which the Lord can work and Satan cannot. Putting on the "new man" involves living in agreement with the Divine nature of which we are made "partakers." We will do what is right if this is done.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for delivering me from myself, my accomplishments, my thoughts, and my own ways.
-- Tomorrow: