The Path to Righteousness Through Faith in Jesus

Righteousness is a concept that carries significant weight in the Christian faith. Jesus redefined righteousness in ways that go beyond mere outward conformity, emphasizing both outward and inward obedience. This redefinition is crucial for understanding the journey to righteousness and the role that faith in Jesus plays in this journey.

The Sermon on the Mount: Jesus' Perspective on Righteousness

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about the expectation of perfect righteousness, saying, “You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). This was a significant shift from the understanding of righteousness before Jesus' time. The Pharisees, who were experts in the Law, were known for their strict adherence to the outward aspects of the law. However, Jesus challenged this understanding, stating that true righteousness involves not only outward behavior but also the inner disposition of one’s heart.

Radical Redefinition of the Law

Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it, as he said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them" (Matthew 5:17). He introduced deeper, more profound teachings that emphasized the heart and intention behind actions. For example, in Matthew 5:21-48, he discussed the internal aspects of righteousness, such as not getting angry with one’s brother or lusting in one’s heart. This radical redefinition emphasized the need for internal purity and holiness beyond mere external obedience.

The Inability of Humanity to Be Perfect

Despite Jesus' call for perfection, it is impossible for human beings to achieve it on their own. Our own efforts are insufficient to meet God's standard of perfection. As Christians, we recognize that we are not perfect and we fall short of God's expectations. This is where the concept of sin comes into play. Sin, which is deeply embedded in human nature, taints our thoughts, words, and deeds. The Bible often describes our righteousness as “polluted garments” (Isaiah 64:6), highlighting that our own efforts to be righteous are inadequate.

Jesus: A Model of Perfection

Jesus lived a sinless life, allowing him to fulfill the law in its entirety. His life was marked by perfection, both in thought and deed, making him the perfect model of righteousness. The idea of active obedience (Jesus' life) and passive obedience (his death on the cross) is crucial in understanding his role in righteousness. His death paid the sin debt of humanity, while his life demonstrated the perfect righteousness that God requires from his believers.

Faith in Jesus and Imputed Righteousness

The apostle Paul puts it succinctly: “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe” (Romans 3:21–22). This means that through faith in Jesus, believers receive the righteousness of God. This righteousness is not something we earn on our own but is imputed or attributed to us—just as God attributes the righteousness of Christ to our account. This is described in 2 Corinthians 5:21: “For our sake he made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

The Wedding Banquet Parable

Jesus' parable of the wedding banquet (Matthew 22:1-14) beautifully illustrates this concept. The guests, representing believers, are invited to the celebration, given a wedding garment—a symbol of the righteousness of Christ. This parable teaches us that we do not enter into God's kingdom with our own righteousness but with the right to participate in the kingdom based on the imputed righteousness of Christ.

Therefore, while we cannot achieve perfection on our own, the grace of God provides us with the righteousness we desperately need. Through faith in Jesus, we can be seen as sinless as Jesus is, even if we still live as sinners in practice. This is a profound truth that transforms our understanding of righteousness and our relationship with God.