2 Corinthians 5:21(KJV)
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
The Scripture is clear that God takes away our sin and gives us His Righteousness. Not only did Jesus pay for the punishment for our sins, but the Scripture also says He became sin. He took sin upon Himself and into His being so we could take God’s righteousness upon ourselves and into our being. After receiving Christ into our hearts, we also receive eternal life, and with it comes righteousness. Righteousness is the nature of God that produces in us the rightness of God and gives us right standing with Him. It is God’s gift to us in Christ, a gift of grace delivered to us by Christ Jesus. The sinless Son of God was sacrificed for the sinful consequences of the immoral acts of godless men. God made Him sin to process us into His righteousness. In other words, He took our place of sin and gave us His sinlessness. God offers us a new way of living through faith in Jesus Christ. We are righteous because we have been made right by an act of God’s great grace and mercy. Philippians 3:8-9 says, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Through faith in Jesus, we receive the very righteousness of God as a gift. We are the righteousness of God through Christ’s finished work. Therefore, the life in us is a new life altogether that is a new life of uprightness.
It is vital to know our identity in Christ Jesus; it makes all the difference in our lives. The moment we surrender our lives to Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our identity changes. We receive a new life of righteousness, superior to sin, the devil, death, and hell. We become members of the highest royal family in the universe and possess the greatest weapon against the devil. God doesn’t see our sin any longer. Instead, He sees us clothed in the righteousness of Christ. Our old nature of sin is crucified with Christ on the cross and replaced by God’s nature of righteousness. We are the righteousness of God in Christ and a joint heir with Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, ” Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Old things have passed away, and all things become new. The way we once were has passed away, and we have all the equipment we need for a brand-new way of life. The brand-new birth experience affects our entire lifestyle and the totality of our conduct.
Beloved, to live a fulfilled life on earth and end well in eternity, focus your mind on the things that matter most in life. Make your ways right with God and maximize your life for God’s use. Righteousness is your new position in Christ, walk and live in that consciousness, and everything about you will change. Your actions, thoughts, behavior, responses, and reactions must be consistent with the Word of God, with the righteousness of Christ, for He is the standard of righteousness. Refuse to please the devil with your life; ensure God is pleased with you always. Turn away from your natural, sinful desires, and turn to Christ and His perfect and righteous ways. Today, desire righteousness above everything else and avoid the life of crookedness and iniquity. Your yearning for God must supersede all other desires; it must be like a deep hunger and an unquenchable thirst. As you obey God and walk on the path of righteousness, you will experience His Blessing. See yourself as He sees you: washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb and perfectly righteous with Him. Believe in God’s Word more than anything else and start living a new way! You are not who you used to be but the righteousness of God in Christ!
O Lord, thank You for making Jesus Christ Who knew no sin to be made sin for me so that I become Your righteousness in Him in Jesus’ Name.