Righteousness Isn't Fragile

When Christ does something, how good of a job does He do at it? He does things perfectly because that’s who He is. Why do we think our righteousness is any different? Paul tells us that the source of our righteousness is Christ’s faithfulness (Phil 3:8-9). So, how faithful is Christ? Is He halfway faithful? Is He faithful as long as we get things right? Does He abandon our hearts when our behavior hurts His feelings? Of course not! I’m sure you read those and laugh at the silliness of them, and yet, we build whole doctrines around an idea that somehow, He didn’t do enough to really make us righteous. We say, oh sure, technically, in Heaven, on God’s accounting ledger we are righteous, but down here on earth, well, that’s different. Is Christ faithful only in heaven some day? What a pathetic gospel that would be! No. In fact, Romans 5:17 teaches us that because of grace, through Christ, righteousness reigns in us. It doesn’t wait until heaven. It doesn’t cower behind our efforts. It REIGNS in us. Keep reading into chapter 6 and you will find that it is what gives us power over the sin that seeks to bind us up. Grace is not weak. Your righteousness is not fragile. What Christ established cannot crumble. The cross finished your forgiveness, the resurrection brought you unending life, and the Spirit (with His fruit) is at home in your heart.