VB144 Two Kinds of Righteousness
You Are the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus
Two Kinds of Righteousness
[Mt 6:33; Rom 1:16-18; 10:3; 1Cor 2:10,14; Pr 14:12; 1Pet 3:12]
The Bible tells us that there are two kinds of righteousness; God’s righteousness and man’s righteousness. As you read the Bible you can tell by context, which one it is talking about. For instance in Romans chapter 10, Paul is speaking of Israel’s need of salvation:
Rom 10:3 (NKJV) –For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
The Jews were not ignorant of the need for a response to God (Rom 10:16,18,19), but they substituted human performance for faith, which led to pride, arrogance, and exclusivism!
Rom 10:3 (NLT) –For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.
It is still true today. If you do not understand God’s righteousness, you will automatically go about to establish your own righteousness. You will be justified by God or by yourself, depending on the kind of righteousness established in you.
Self-righteousness always seeks self-gratification, while it seeks God’s approval of our good works. Self-righteousness leaves God out of your life. It puts you in bondage to people, and causes you to worry about even your basic needs. When you give God’s righteousness first place in your life, then God is committed to fulfill His promises. And you don’t have anything to worry about.
Mt 6:33 (NKJV) –“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Righteousness: is the equity of character or action of a person who is just or righteous. It is the justification of one who lives in agreement to the Word of God and stands in opposition to lawlessness.
In both the OT and NT, righteousness is the state commanded by God and standing the test of His judgment (2Cor 3:9; 6:14; Eph 4:24). It is conformity to all that He commands or appoints. Since God Himself is the standard of the believers, the righteousness of God means the righteousness which belongs to God, or God-like righteousness.1
What are the “things” Jesus is talking about? They are the things listed in the previous verses (Mt 6:31-32). Specifically, the Lord said what we need to eat, drink, and what we should wear, will all be taken care of by God if we will seek first and foremost the Lord’s kingdom and His righteousness. If we put God first in our lives, He will supernaturally take care of our needs.
When God supplies our needs, He will do it better than we ever could. I like what Andrew Wommack says, “God is El Shaddai, not El Cheapo.”
God’s streets are pure gold, and His gates are carved out of pearls (Rev 21:21). God is extravagant! He loves to be our provider. I believe that He wants to spoil us rotten. My wife and I are blessed with God’s abundant provision, and the more we seek Him, the more we discover His vast supply.
Notice the use of the word “first” (Mt.6:33). Jesus was teaching about priorities. Sure we need to focus some attention on earthly things, but they should never be our priority. God and His kingdom should always come first in our priorities, and when they are, He supernaturally takes care of all the natural things we need.
The righteousness of God is revealed to the faithful, but the wrath of God is revealed to the ungodly.
When we believe the good news of Christ, the power of God releases the effects of salvation into our lives. Paul puts it this way in Romans 1:16-18.
Rom 1:16-18 (NKJV) – [16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. [17] For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
God’s righteousness cannot be earned; it comes only through faith. It has to be revealed. God reveals His righteousness to believers through the Holy Spirit. We have never understood the awesome things of God through our own knowledge. However, the Holy Spirit gives us revelation knowledge and spiritual understanding.
1Cor 2:10 (NKJV) –But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
Salvation is revealed to everyone who believes, but the wrath of God is revealed against those who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.
1Cor 2:14 (NKJV) –But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
God’s righteousness enables you to serve God and His Word. The righteousness from God is based on what Jesus has done for you. God’s righteousness is eternal and establishes your fellowship with Him.
Self-righteousness is temporary and dependent on self-justification. It will make you say things that are not right-wise (contrary) to God’s Word. Prayers don’t get answered, if they are against God’s Word.
It is vital to stay in the righteousness of God and not get over into self-righteousness.
Pr 14:12 (NKJV) –There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
And spiritual death, is separation from God!
My Decree:
I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! Holy Spirit gives me revelation knowledge and spiritual understanding, which establishes my fellowship with the Father.
Being right-wise with the Word of God gives me the power to stand against lawlessness. My fervent prayers avail much (James 5:16).
1Pet 3:12 (NKJV) –For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”
God bless you my friend,
1Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study New Testament, KJV (Chattanooga: AMG, 1992), ref. G1343.
