_Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD_
_Thursday, October 22nd 2026_
*RIGHT LIVING BEGINS WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS*
_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_ *(2 Corinthians 5:21)*
Many Christians sincerely love God. They worship passionately, pray fervently, and strive to live holy lives. Yet, despite their sincerity, they continue trying to attain what God has already given them in Christ. They believe that if they pray more, do more good works, or become more disciplined, they'll eventually become righteous. But that's not the Gospel.
The Bible makes a clear distinction between righteousness and right living. Righteousness is your nature in Christ; right living is the expression of that nature. In other words, right living is the result of righteousness, not the means of attaining it.
If righteousness could be achieved through human effort, Jesus Christ would never have needed to come. His death, burial, and resurrection made available what no amount of personal striving could ever produce. The moment you were born again, you were made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. It wasn't a reward for good behaviour or years of faithful service; it was God's gracious gift to you in Christ (Romans 5:17).
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, *“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.”* Because you've been made righteous, you now have the capacity to live right. Just as a good tree naturally bears good fruits, your recreated spirit produces fruits and works of righteousness because that's your nature.
God's order is always from the inside out. He first gave you His righteousness as your nature, and now He expects that nature to find expression in your thoughts, words, and actions. This is why the Christian life isn't sustained by self-effort but by the life of Christ in you, manifested through your daily walk.
Never measure your standing before God by your *“performance.”* Your righteous standing is founded on the finished works of Christ: *“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”* (Ephesians 2:8-9).
As you grow in the knowledge of who you are in Him, your conduct increasingly reflects His righteousness that's already at work within you. That’s because right living is the inevitable result of righteousness.
*PRAYER*
_Dear Father, I thank you for making me your righteousness in Christ Jesus. I live in the reality of my new life and nature in Christ, producing the works and fruits of righteousness through the power of your Spirit. My life is the expression of your divine nature, excellence, holiness and victory, in Jesus' Name. Amen._
*FURTHER STUDY:*
*Romans 5:17* For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
*Philippians 3:9* And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
*Titus 2:11-12 NIV* For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say *"No"* to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
*1 Year Bible Reading Plan :* 1 Timothy 4:1-16 & Jeremiah 11-12
*2 Year Bible Reading Plan :* Hebrews 11:1-16 & Ezekiel 21
Comments
Post a Comment