CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 5:21

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 5:21
“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.”

Supporting Texts: Isaiah 53:4-6; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 4:5-8; Romans 5:17-19; Philippians 3:8-9; 1 Peter 2:24; 1 Corinthians 1:30

Description: Jesus Christ took our sin upon Himself so that everyone who believes in Him might receive the righteousness of God and stand accepted before Him.

INTRODUCTION

Righteousness is one of the greatest needs of humanity because sin separates people from a holy God. Human morality, good works, religious activities and personal achievements cannot provide the perfect righteousness required to stand before God. Our greatest hope is therefore not in what we can accomplish, but in what God has accomplished for us through Jesus Christ.

Second Corinthians 5:21 reveals the heart of the gospel. Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us. He took our place and bore what belonged to us so that we might receive what belongs to Him—the righteousness of God. This is the wonderful exchange accomplished through the cross.

Christ is therefore our righteousness. We are not accepted by God because of our personal perfection, but because of our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work. Having received His righteousness, we are called to live lives that reflect the holiness and character of the One who saved us.

1. CHRIST WAS WITHOUT SIN

The foundation of our righteousness is the sinlessness of Jesus Christ. He could become our perfect substitute because He Himself was without sin.

a. He Knew No Sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) — Jesus was completely without sin and therefore qualified to bear the sins of others.

b. He Was Tempted Yet Without Sin (Hebrews 4:15) — Christ experienced temptation but never yielded to sin.

c. He Was a Lamb Without Blemish (1 Peter 1:18-19) — His precious blood was without spot or blemish.

d. He Did No Sin (1 Peter 2:22) — Scripture confirms the moral perfection of Christ.

Biblical Example: Pilate examined Jesus and declared that he found no fault in Him, even though Christ was condemned to death (John 18:38; 19:4).

2. CHRIST TOOK OUR PLACE

The cross reveals the substitutionary nature of Christ's sacrifice. He took what belonged to us so that we could receive God's mercy.

a. He Bore Our Sins (1 Peter 2:24) — Jesus carried our sins in His own body on the cross.

b. He Was Wounded for Us (Isaiah 53:5) — His suffering was connected directly with our transgressions and iniquities.

c. He Became a Curse for Us (Galatians 3:13) — Christ redeemed us by taking the curse upon Himself.

d. He Died for the Ungodly (Romans 5:6) — His sacrifice was made for people who could not save themselves.

Biblical Example: Barabbas was released while Jesus was condemned to the cross, providing a striking picture of substitution (Mark 15:6-15).

3. OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS COMES THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST

God's righteousness cannot be earned through human effort. It is received through faith in Jesus Christ.

a. We Are Justified by Faith (Romans 5:1) — Faith in Christ brings us into a right relationship with God.

b. Righteousness Is a Gift (Romans 5:17) — God's grace gives believers the gift of righteousness.

c. We Are Not Saved by Works (Ephesians 2:8-9) — Salvation is God's gracious gift rather than something we earn.

d. Believe in Christ (Romans 10:9-10) — Faith in the heart and confession of Christ are central to receiving salvation.

Biblical Example: Abraham believed God, and his faith was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3).

4. CHRIST IS BETTER THAN OUR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS

Human righteousness cannot compare with the righteousness God gives through Christ. We must stop trusting in ourselves and rest in Christ.

a. Human Righteousness Is Insufficient (Isaiah 64:6) — Our own righteousness cannot meet God's perfect standard.

b. Religious Achievement Cannot Save Us (Philippians 3:4-7) — Paul learned that religious credentials could not provide true righteousness.

c. Christ Is Our Righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30) — God has made Christ our righteousness, sanctification and redemption.

d. Trust Christ Completely (Philippians 3:9) — We should seek to be found in Christ rather than depending upon our own righteousness.

Biblical Example: The Pharisee trusted in his religious performance, while the publican humbled himself and asked God for mercy; Jesus commended the humble man rather than the self-righteous one (Luke 18:9-14).

5. CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS GIVES US ACCEPTANCE BEFORE GOD

Because of Christ, believers can approach God with confidence. Our acceptance rests upon Christ's finished work rather than our human perfection.

a. We Have Peace With God (Romans 5:1) — Justification removes the hostility caused by sin and brings peace with God.

b. We Have Access to God (Ephesians 2:18) — Through Christ, we have access to the Father by the Spirit.

c. We Can Approach God's Throne (Hebrews 4:16) — Believers can come boldly to the throne of grace because of Christ.

d. We Are Accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:6) — God's grace makes us accepted in Christ.

Biblical Example: The prodigal son was received by his father when he returned home, illustrating the Father's gracious welcome of the repentant (Luke 15:20-24).

6. RECEIVING CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS SHOULD CHANGE OUR LIVES

Grace does not give permission to continue deliberately in sin. Those who have received Christ's righteousness are called to live righteously.

a. Walk in Newness of Life (Romans 6:4) — Union with Christ produces a new way of living.

b. Pursue Holiness (Hebrews 12:14) — God's people are called to pursue holiness.

c. Practise Righteousness (1 John 3:7) — The righteous life should demonstrate the reality of our relationship with Christ.

d. Let Your Light Shine (Matthew 5:16) — Our conduct should cause others to glorify God.

Biblical Example: Zacchaeus demonstrated genuine transformation after meeting Jesus by changing his attitude towards possessions and making restitution (Luke 19:1-10).

7. CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS GIVES US CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD

Our confidence is not rooted in our personal achievements but in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

a. There Is No Condemnation in Christ (Romans 8:1) — Those who are in Christ Jesus are no longer under condemnation.

b. Christ Is Our Advocate (1 John 2:1-2) — When believers sin, Christ remains our righteous Advocate before the Father.

c. His Blood Cleanses Us (1 John 1:7) — The blood of Jesus continually provides cleansing from sin.

d. Hold Fast Your Confidence (Hebrews 10:35) — We must not abandon our confidence in God.

Biblical Example: Peter failed Jesus by denying Him, but Christ restored him and gave him renewed responsibility in ministry (John 21:15-19).

8. LIVE IN THE REALITY OF CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

Receiving Christ's righteousness should produce humility, gratitude, confidence and faithful living. We should never take God's grace for granted.

a. Give Thanks for Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9) — Our salvation should produce gratitude rather than boasting.

b. Remain in Christ (John 15:4) — Spiritual fruitfulness depends upon continuing fellowship with Jesus.

c. Walk Worthy of Your Calling (Ephesians 4:1) — Our lives should correspond with the grace we have received.

d. Let Christ Be Seen in You (Galatians 2:20) — The life of Christ should increasingly be manifested through the believer.

Biblical Example: Paul counted his own righteousness as insufficient and desired to be found in Christ, trusting in the righteousness that comes through faith (Philippians 3:8-9).

CONCLUSION

Christ is our righteousness. He who knew no sin took our place so that we could receive God's righteousness through Him. This is the heart of the gospel: we could never make ourselves righteous enough for God, but God provided perfect righteousness through His Son. Therefore, our confidence before God must rest in Christ rather than in our own goodness or achievements.

Let us continually trust in Jesus, rejoice in His finished work and live in the reality of the righteousness He has given us. Having received such grace, let us pursue holiness, walk in obedience and allow the character of Christ to be seen through our lives. May our lives continually testify that Jesus Christ is our righteousness.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, thank You for giving me righteousness through Jesus Christ, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, help me to trust completely in the finished work of Christ, in Jesus name.

3. Father, deliver me from depending on my own righteousness, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, let the power of the cross continually work in my life, in Jesus name.

5. Father, help me to walk in holiness and obedience, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, remove every sense of condemnation and establish my confidence in Christ, in Jesus name.

7. Father, let the character of Christ be seen in my life every day, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, help me to remain rooted and established in Christ, in Jesus name.

9. Father, let my life testify to the transforming power of Your grace, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, keep me faithful until I see You and receive the fullness of Your eternal promise, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall continually stand in the righteousness of Christ.

2. You shall not be overcome by condemnation or guilt.

3. Your confidence before God shall remain firmly rooted in Christ.

4. You shall receive grace to walk in holiness and obedience.

5. The finished work of Christ shall continually speak for you.

6. You shall overcome every accusation of the enemy through the victory of Christ.

7. The character of Christ shall increasingly be manifested through your life.

8. You shall remain established in faith and grounded in God's grace.

9. Your life shall become a testimony of God's transforming righteousness.

10. You shall finish your Christian journey in faith and stand accepted in Christ before God.