righteousness- the quality or state of being just or righteous; in good standing with God. Justification and righteousness are linked in Scripture, in that both come from the same word (dikaios means
"righteous" and dikaioo means "to justify"). Since justification and righteousness represent words of common origin, these can be distinguished by noting that God is the source, declaring us righteous;
and man is the recipient, being declared righteous.
We have been made righteous by the presence of His life within us. We have a brand new nature - a righteous one!
We have been given the righteous nature of Jesus as a gift of grace. Since it is not something that was earned by good behavior or works, there is nothing we can do for it to be withdrawn. It is based on what He did. Amen!
Over 90 references in the New Testament with the highest concentration in Romans.
Romans 4:6 "...God credits righteousness apart from works:"
Romans 4:13-16 "For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise nullified; for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, there also is no violation. For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,"
Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."
Romans 10:9-10 "that is you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
