This is one concept that many Christians still find difficult to understand. Some consider it an impossibility that they are as righteous as God. At the same time, some others see it as a doctrine of devils to be conscious of their righteousness. However, the truth is that a firm comprehension of this concept would liberate many Christians from the bonds that have held them captive. The true meaning of righteousness goes beyond what we have been taught to believe over the years. It is not exactly how our churches have defined it to mean. Consequently, there are so many well-intentioned definitions of righteousness that have championed problems in the body of Christ.
These misinterpretations of the depth of righteousness are a huge challenge because they affect how we relate with other believers and how we relate with God and how we see ourselves. This is why going forward, if we get things right, maximize our office as believers and relate appropriately with our heavenly Father. We have to come to terms with his perspective on righteousness. It’s high time we get in his word and find out what the mind of God is about being righteousness conscious.
What Is Righteousness
Before you can be conscious of righteousness, you need to know what righteousness truly is. Righteousness is the very nature of God, and this nature can only be transferred by birth. The physical realm is a shadow that typifies the spiritual, so the same way it is in the natural where your entire genotypic component is traceable to your parents, the righteousness nature that every believer possesses was inherited from God’s genome. Belief in Jesus rebirths every human and imparts life and nature similar in fashion to God’s. Because of this knowledge, we can now say we have a genotypic nature of righteousness in exact likeness to that of God.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
You might still have some addictions you are battling with; anger might still be ruling your emotions, you might not even be feeling righteous in any way, but never forget that you are 100% righteous. The DNA of sin has been crucified and hanged when you accepted the life and nature of God. Therefore, now that you know the truth, you must never lose sight of it. You are now a citizen of heaven; you now have a new nature, that of righteousness. This righteousness is of the same quality and quantity as God’s, so keeping this knowledge before your eyes at all times is righteousness consciousness.
Facts About Righteousness
The topic before us is inexhaustible, so we will consider some key facts about righteousness.
Righteousness cannot be earned or lost:
“For by grace, you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
We hope you can now see that righteousness is not how you have defined it to be. The bible clearly tells us that it is the gift of God, and as such, it has nothing to do with what you have or have not done. To best paint a vivid description of the irrelevance of our effort at righteousness, the bible also compares our righteousness to a filthy rag. This goes to show that even your best behavior will amount to a filth-filled rag before God. This is why the only acceptable definition for righteousness is the way God defines it; faith in Christ Jesus.
Gifts given by God cannot be lost; the bible tells that God’s gifts are without repentance; therefore, you do not have to fear that you can become unrighteous. A pig will always bathe and gravel in the mud; it is his nature. Similarly, a righteous man will always stand righteous before God; nothing can alter his nature. Sin is not his nature anymore.
Righteousness Makes Relating With God Possible:
“For through Him, we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:18)
Faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ is the most important condition that must be met before any man can relate well with God. Before the coming of Jesus, the Israelites had to offer bulls and lambs to cover up their sins. However, this was insufficient because this blood did not blot out their transgressions. They had to renew their sacrifices yearly, and God could relate with them to an extent. But after the coming of Jesus, the new creation believer now has unhindered access to the Father; the righteousness nature of God that God has gifted us made it possible. God now resides in our hearts as the Holy Spirit.
Righteousness puts you at an advantage in life:
“For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17)
This is closely linked to the second part of this article; sin consciousness. An awareness of the fact that you are in right standing with God (righteous) will make you know that God is never against you. So when temptations and challenges come your way, you can be sure that they are not of God. God is not trying to punish you for any sin you committed; he wants you to triumph and prospers. He is by your side through difficulty, always orchestrating good things for you.
Sin Consciousness
“Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.” (Romans 8:33-35)
If you are not conscious of righteousness, you are most certainly conscious of sin. Sin is no more your nature and therefore must not be allowed to reign over you. The disadvantages of allowing sin to rule your mind are enormous. Sin consciousness is a failed attempt at self-rescue; therefore, you must endeavor to lean on Christ and declare your righteousness in him. Sin consciousness is accompanied by fear, feeling of condemnation, guilt, works, selfishness, e.t.c. So even when you have made a mistake and offended anyone, apologizes to God but do not allow condemnation to stiffen your awareness of your righteousness
