Since Christ Jesus is made unto us right standing, we are equipped to develop and excel in the fruits of righteousness. Although we cannot do anything to make ourselves more righteous than Jesus has already made us, there are works we will do as a result of the righteousness we are in Him.
Watch the video or enjoy the audio of this teaching as you follow along with these study notes. This series, In Christ Volume #1, will help you identify yourself in Christ!
Jesus Accomplished All the Work
That Made Us Righteous
Our faith in what Jesus has done grants us access to operate and receive it.
1 Corinthians 1:30
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
Romans 4:25
25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
Romans 3:25-26
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; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Isaiah 53:11
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Romans 5:19
19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. This right standing must be given a place of honor in our lives.
Remember, We Are Instructed to
Submit to His Righteousness
Romans 10:3, 6-8
3 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.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Say what righteousness compels you to say (vs. 8).
Don’t say what it tells you not to say.(vs. 6).
Righteousness yielded to in the heart will direct the mouth in line with God’s Word.
The Breastplate of Right Standing
Is a Necessary Part of Standing
Ephesians 6:14
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Stand means “to make firm or fixed, establish, uphold, sustain the authority or force of anything, stand ready, do not hesitate or waver.”
The breastplate of armor is designed to protect the vital organs, especially the heart. When righteousness is established in our lives, it protects us from things like fear and condemnation that stop the heart.
Isaiah 54:14
14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.
The Righteousness of God Will Be
Visible as We Live in It
Righteousness is described as a brightness.
Isaiah 62:1-2
1 For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.
2 And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.
Malachi 4:2
2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Matthew 13:43
43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
We Are Designed to Be “Doers of Righteousness.”
1 John 2:29
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
Isaiah 64:5
5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
Guard the Gift of Righteousness!
There is a gathering of the righteous where the wicked will not stand.
Psalm 1:1-6
1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Lot was vexed by what he heard and saw in the land of Sodom and Gomorrah.
2 Peter 2:6-9
6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked:
8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
Verse 7 of The Amplified Bible says “…greatly worn out and distressed by the wanton ways of the ungodly.”
There is a “reward” for unrighteousness.
2 Peter 2:9-13
9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord.
12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
13 And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
We Can Reap the Rewards of Righteousness
Romans 6:13
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
We will have the blessing on our homes.
Proverbs 3:33
33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
We will have increased light on our paths.
Proverbs 4:18
18 But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
We will have the blessing on our heads.
Proverbs 10:6
6 Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Our desires will be granted.
Proverbs 10:24
24 The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
We will flourish supernaturally.
Proverbs 11:28
28 He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
We will have divine stability.
Proverbs 12:3
3 A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
We will have supernatural protection.
Proverbs 12:21
21 There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.
We will have wealth in our homes.
Proverbs 15:6
6 In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
Study Questions
1. Under Section I. Jesus Accomplished All the Work That Made Us Righteous, study the verses that provide a foundation of what Jesus accomplished. Have you ever tried to pray enough or give enough to be accepted by God? How can releasing faith in these verses help you operate as a righteous man or woman?
2. How does the righteousness which is of faith guide or correct us?
3. How does righteousness protect us?
4. List the verses that indicate righteousness will be like a visible brightness in our lives. Give an example from your life.
5. How did the unrighteous lives of the people in Sodom and Gomorrah affect Lot?
6. List some of the rewards of righteousness that the Bible references.
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