Romans 4:5 But to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness.
Paul touched on the most common mistake many people, even Christians, still make to this day, and that is to base our righteousness on our deeds and works and ministries and sacrifices we made for the Lord, instead of beholding Christ and believing wholeheartedly in Him who came to justify us.
Since the fall of man, right up till this very Wednesday, mankind has the tendency to want to earn their righteousness, believing they can do enough good works or religious things to make a contribution to become holy and righteous.
However, the Greek word δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosune) comes from the little word δίκη (dikē), which literally refers to a legal verdict that has been given after judgment has been passed.
δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosune) therefore means someone who is in an upright position, no more guilt, sin, or shame, APPROVED AND LEGALLY CONSIDERED RIGHTEOUS IN GOD'S EYES 👏.
Righteousness is a position we hold as people who "stand right" before God based on what Jesus did right, not based on what we did. Righteousness is also a position of BEING, not BECOMING by DOING! Only by faith in Christ we can be righteous.
Paul reminded the believers in Rome that their faith in Christ determined their righteousness, because some believers back then saw themselves as inferior to people like Peter, Paul, John, and James, and tried to do more works to feel more righteous, not realizing that their faith in Christ positioned them all equally righteous in God’s eyes.
The same still rings true today.
So let me ask you: Do you believe in Christ and that by faith in Him you are righteous, or do you believe in yourself, your deeds, your actions, and your works, instead of living from the fullness of who Christ came and made you?
Because let me tell you, if you believe right, you will live right, not the other way around.
That's why Paul quoted David word by word in the following 3 verses by saying, "Just as David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 'Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered.'" “Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”
Ah, praise the Lord Jesus, in whom we are truly blessed, blessed as THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD in Christ!
Amen