Sin, Righteousness, & Judgment (Pt. 2)

(Part 2)

“As it is written, “There is none righteous, no, not one.”-Romans 3:10 

The Bible is clear that mankind has tried, since the dawn of time, to establish its own standard of righteousness rather than to submit to the righteousness of God. The Apostle Paul declared in Romans 10:3: “For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.” 

This self established righteousness is described by the Prophet Isaiah as being like filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). When we work to establish our own parameters for right and wrong, we run the risk of undermining God’s framework for good and evil:

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”-Isaiah 5:20 

The Apostle Paul recognized that the self-defined righteousness that he once lived by fell woefully short of the righteousness established by God. When he measured himself, against God’s standards, it caused him to declare himself to be the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15) 

The righteousness that God has established is not self-determined but rather has been provided for through our Lord Jesus Christ:

“For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous.”-Romans 5:17-19

His righteousness is afforded to us, not through any effort of our own, but by faith:

“But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe.”-Romans 3:21-22

Jesus demonstrated a level of righteousness that we, in our sin-tainted state, could never hope to attain through our own works. 1 Corinthians 5:21 declares:

“For He (God) made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” 

Because we have all sinned, we have all fallen short of God’s standard of righteousness. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, took the penalty of our sins upon Himself when He died on the cross. This sacrifice allowed His righteousness to be extended to us, if we choose to place our faith in Him. 

The Holy Spirit continues to work today to convince us that our self-righteousness will never satisfy the demands of a Holy God, but instead He points to a perfect righteousness afforded to us by faith in Jesus. 

Pastor Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church