“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” -2 Cor. 5:21
We know that on the cross, Jesus took our sin and the consequence of our sin upon Himself. In Him we are cleansed and forgiven. Our old nature and its burden are washed away, when we placed our faith and hope in Jesus. That’s Good News!
But it’s important that we understand that through His work on the cross the blessings we receive go beyond our forgiveness and redemption. Paul says that the moment we become followers of Jesus, we also “become the righteousness of God.” In another scripture, he describes us as “new creations IN CHRIST”, noting that our old sin nature is wiped away. His righteousness is placed upon us.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” II Corinthians 5:17
The secret to righteousness is not our effort or will to be good people. The secret to righteousness is found in the only Perfect One… the One who conquered sin and death. He is the One who can and does place His righteousness upon us, like a new spotless white robe. When we place our faith in Him and follow Him He does His work in us.
Matthew records Jesus’ words to us, “blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled-satisfied.”
He is righteousness. Hunger and thirst for him; prioritize him; and He will place you His righteousness on us.
The darkness in our world is sometimes ominous! At times we may get sobering glimpses of it in ourselves when we allow the old nature to rise up.
But by placing our faith in Him daily, the darkness will never consume the light of the Gospel in us. Because He promises to complete His work in us.
We just recently celebrated Easter. The great narrative of history cumulates in that day with a resounding shout! JESUS WINS!
Death and sin have been swallowed in sweet victory. Our greatest foes are vanquished by LOVE INCARNATE!
All things are made new in Him. The impossible is made possible! We are forgiven. We are new. We are His righteousness. Live into it today!
