Chapter 1 - Christ Our Righteousness

Christ our righteousness is the one sublime message set forth in the Sacred Scriptures. However varied the forms and phrases in which this message may be unfolded and presented, yet always, from every point of the circle, the central commanding theme is, Christ our righteousness.COR 9.1

The account of creation reveals the marvelous wisdom and power of Christ, by whom all things were created. Colossians 1:14-16. The sin of the first Adam, with all its awful consequences, is related in order that Christ, the last Adam, may be hailed as Redeemer and restorer. Romans 5:12-21. Death with all its terrors is set before us, that Christ may be exalted and glorified as the Life-giver. 1 Corinthians 15:22. The disappointments, sorrows, and tragedies of this life are recounted, that Christ may be sought as the great comforter and deliverer. John 16:33. Our sinful, corrupt natures are presented in lurid colors, that Christ may be appealed to for cleansing, and may in very deed be unto us “the Lord our righteousness.”COR 9.2

Thus it is throughout the Sacred Volume,-every phase of truth unfolded, points in some way to Christ as our righteousness.COR 9.3

But righteousness as a distinct, well-defined subject of vital importance, occupies a large place in the word of God. Its source, its nature, the possibility of its being obtained by sinners, and the conditions upon which it may be secured, are set forth in great clearness in that original, authoritative textbook on righteousness.COR 9.4

Of the source of righteousness, we read: “O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto Thee” Daniel 9:7. “The Lord is righteous in all His ways.” Psalm 145:17. “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains.” Psalm 36:6. “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness.” Psalm 119:142. “The righteous Lord loveth righteousness.” Psalm 11:7. “There is no unrighteousness in Him.” Psalm 92:15.COR 10.1

Regarding the nature of righteousness, the Scriptures are most explicit. It is set forth as the very opposite of sin, and is associated with holiness, or godliness. “Awake to righteousness, and sin not.” 1 Corinthians 15:34. “That ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, which waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, which after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.” Ephesians 4:22-24, R. V. “The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” Ephesians 5:9. “Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” 1 Timothy 6:11. “All unrighteousness is sin.” 1 John 5:17.COR 10.2

Perhaps the finest and most inspiring statement regarding righteousness in all the word of God is the following concerning Christ: “Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.” Hebrews 1:9. This places righteousness as the antithesis, the direct opposite, of iniquity, or sin.COR 10.3

Thus the word declares that God is the source of righteousness, and that it is one of His divine, holy attributes. The supreme question regarding the righteousness of God, the question of the deepest interest and consequence to us, is our personal relation to that righteousness. Is righteousness in any degree inherent in human nature? If so, how may it be cultivated and developed? If not, is there any way of obtaining it? If so, by what means, and when?COR 11.1

To the mind untaught and unenlightened by the word of God, this is a great, dark, baffling problem. In endeavoring to solve it, man has surely “sought out many inventions.” But uncertainty and confusion regarding our relation to the righteousness of God are quite unnecessary, for the true situation is clearly stated in the Scriptures of truth.COR 11.2

The Scriptures declare that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23); that we are “carnal, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14); that “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10); that in our flesh there “dwelleth no good thing” (Romans 7:18); and finally, that we are “filled with all unrighteousness” (Romans 1:29). This clearly answers the question as to whether righteousness is in any degree inherent in human nature. It is not. On the contrary, human nature is filled with unrighteousness.COR 11.3

But in this same word we find the good, glad news that God has provided a way by which we may be cleansed from our unrighteousness, and be clothed and filled with His perfect righteousness. We find that this provision was made and revealed to Adam as soon as he fell from his high and holy estate. This merciful provision has been understood and laid hold of by fallen, unrighteous men and women from the very beginning of the fierce, unequal conflict with sin. This we learn from the following testimonies recorded in the Scriptures:COR 12.1

1. In one of His sermons, Christ refers to the second son of Adam, and speaks of him as “righteous Abel.” Matthew 23:35. And Paul declares that Abel “obtained witness that he was righteous.” Hebrews 11:4.COR 12.2

2. “The Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation.” Genesis 7:1. Again: “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.” Genesis 6:9.COR 12.3

3. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3.COR 12.4

4. “And delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked (for that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their lawless deeds).” 2 Peter 2:7, 8, R. V.COR 12.5

5. Of Zacharias and Elisabeth, living just before the birth of Christ, it is said: “They were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” Luke 1:6.COR 12.6

6. The apostle Paul declares that the Gentiles to whom he had preached the gospel had “attained to righteousness.” Romans 9:30; 6:17-22.COR 13.1

Thus it is seen that from the promise made to Adam, to the close of apostolic times, there were men and women all along the way who laid hold of the righteousness of God and had the evidence that their lives were pleasing to Him.COR 13.2