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July 18 Daily Devotional

On Being Righteous

Peter G. Feenstra

And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:22

Bible Reading

Romans 4:13–25

Devotional

What image comes to your mind when you think of someone being righteous? Does it make you think of a person whose actions are moral, upright, and virtuous—a person who most certainly will be taken to heaven in a golden chariot because of all the good things he has done?

In his letter to the Romans, the apostle Paul spends a great deal of time on the subject, “Who is righteous?” He comes to the conclusion that no one on earth is righteous except the Lord Jesus Christ. As his eyes search the vast Roman Empire, he sees nothing but sinners. Rome, the capital of the then-known world, was completely decadent, harbouring every conceivable sin within its walls. But Rome was not an exception to the rule. The Jews were not better than Roman citizens. They imagined that righteousness was attainable through the works of the law.

Being righteous before the Lord does not make you a better person or place you a notch above others who do not know the Lord. God declares us righteous, through no merit of our own. While we were enemies we were reconciled to God. In Romans 4 the apostle Paul comments on the life of Abraham, who is a true example of a righteous person. Paul holds him up as a prime example of righteousness by grace alone. The Lord said to Abraham, “Look at the star-studded sky! You can’t count all the stars, can you? Even though you are childless now, I will provide you with descendants as numerous as the stars. Believe me and trust me to do what I promise!” Abraham believed and it was credited to him (accounted to him) as righteousness. The fact that God credited Abraham’s faith to him as righteousness does not mean that Abraham became a morally better person! He was a sinner before the LORD spoke to him, but just as much afterwards.

Through His grace the LORD declares the unrighteous to be righteous! God transfers to our account the perfect righteousness of His Son. We can never become righteous because we add to our sin and guilt every day. God declares us righteous. He justifies us through Christ. Being righteous before God in Christ allows us to live joyfully now already. Our joy is not reserved for heaven and the new earth. Each day brings its own worries, challenges and temptations. Thanks be to God for giving us a Saviour. He makes our ways straight, declares us righteous, and so allows us to live with purpose!

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