God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)

My pastor once told this story to illustrate righteousness: There was a man intent on restoring a classic car, but no matter what he tried, the engine would not run. He took it to a mechanic and when he came
to retrieve his car, the engine worked perfectly. The mechanic stood back and said, “Now, that’s righteous!”

What had seemed irretrievably broken had been made new. The same is true for us. We are helpless to fix our own sinful condition, but because Christ took our sins upon himself, bore our punishment on the cross, and rose triumphantly from the tomb, all who believe in him have been made righteous in God’s sight.

This was not without cost. God the Father paid dearly by sending his son to pay the ultimate price with his life. Now, that’s not just righteous, that’s love!

Jane Wilke
Woodbury, MN

Father, forgive me for taking the gift of righteousness through Christ for granted. Amen.

Reflect: What has God’s gift of righteousness meant to you?

Read: Romans 10:1-10 and Philippians 3:7-14