A Different Kind of Righteousness

Found in Him

We often evaluate ourselves and our righteousness in light of other people or some perceived standard

The idea in this passage is that this is an observable righteousness

The verb for “found in Him” often has the meaning of “prove to be”

It is the viewpoint of the Judge who alone determines our reality.

In Scripture, righteousness is often a legal term, not a moral one.

It means that a judge would pronounce someone righteous.

Naturally, the ideal was that the person would actually be righteous, but the focus is on what the judge said.

The verdict does not necessarily depend upon the moral realities.

Therefore the BIG QUESTION is: “What must a person do if God is to declare that he is in the right and so give judgement in his favor?

Righteousness from the Law

Righteousness that is measured by adherence to some external identifiable standard.

Righteousness from the Law means that when compared to the standard of God’s law, found blameless.

So is the problem with the Law?

Paul never spoke against the law, instead he pointed to our inability to keep the law.

James 2:10 NASB95

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.

The concept of Righteousness from the Law is an “achieved” righteousness.

Paul has already explicitly rejected this type of a righteousness as inadequate in verse six.

God’s standard is an absolute standard. There is no such thing as “Close Enough”.

Righteousness through Faith in Christ

Clearly, no one has the kind of righteousness that will secure a verdict of innocent when God examines their life.

It is THROUGH faith

This first phrase deals with how it is achieved.

Rather than focus on our behavior and attitude, Paul rightly points to the only conduit that God has ever issued Grace, the conduit of faith.

Romans 4:3 NASB95

For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Hebrews 11:1–5 NASB95

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.

Hebrews 11:1-2

It is ON THE BASIS of faith

The second phrase deals with how it is awarded.

Hebrews 11:6 NASB95

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Romans 10:13–17 NASB95

for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.