The bible tells us of two major types of righteousness, one by the law or works and another by faith. Paul alluded to this in 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”. The righteousness of own works or the law is about man’s efforts to have a right standing before based on obedience of the law or doing some works. On this kind of righteousness, God spoke Isaiah 64:6, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away”. All efforts of man in trying to be accepted before God on the basis of good works or works of the law are fifty rags in God’s eyes. This shows that such works don’t qualify man, regardless of how good they seem to be. Romans 3:20 clearly declares, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight”.

Our opening scripture talks about Abraham, a man who lived before the law but God credited to him righteousness because he believed God. He had a taste of a different righteousness which would later be specially inaugurated by Jesus Christ. This is righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 3:21-22 states: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all.” God accepts you today because of your faith in Christ. When you receive Jesus Christ, you are given a right standing before God. This is free credited righteousness by faith not achieved righteousness by works. Your feelings may not agree, but this is truth according to the word of God. By this righteousness of faith, you stand before God with freedom, boldness, without fear of dread. 29

This is a gift God brought us in Christ Jesus. Don’t try to get justification by works, always recognize what Jesus Christ did for you.