SUBMIT TO HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God (James 2:23).

It’s so important to understand that there’re several broad applications and definitions of righteousness. But righteousness, first and foremost, is the nature of God, His nature of rightness. The nature of God can be described from different perspectives, like we say, “God is love”; so, love is His nature. But when we talk about righteousness, that’s a different nature we’re describing.

Righteousness as God’s nature is His ability to be right and do right only and always. It’s His perfection, accuracy and distinction in glory. Righteousness distinguishes God in glory from everyone else. Now, this righteousness is absolutely unattainable by man or any creature. Therefore, in God’s benevolence, He attributes, bestows or imputes to us a kind of righteousness which is called “Right standing.”

You may have heard what in some countries is called “a certificate of conformity”; it’ll help you understand what righteousness or right standing is. It stipulates that a particular product meets the required standards or specification of the government or authorized agency. There’s also the “certificate of good standing,” which certifies that a company is properly registered with the state and it’s up to date on all state levies and required documentations, and therefore legally permitted to engage in business activities in the state.

Now, right standing, like the certificate of good conduct or good standing is the ability to stand before God and be accepted. Now we can fellowship with Him, unafraid and unashamed. The most beautiful part is that He didn’t wait for you to have “complied” or “filed” the necessary “documentations” and meet all the required standards first; He declared you righteous because of what Jesus did in your behalf.

Recall we read in our theme verse that “… Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness….” God gave Abraham the certificate of right standing for believing. Likewise, righteousness was imparted to you as a result of your faith in Jesus Christ. It’s the gift of God—a gift of grace imparted to all men, which becomes effectual the moment one submits to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER / CONFESSION

By grace, I’ve received God’s nature of righteousness and I’ve been translated into the Kingdom of His Love-Son, where I reign and rule with Him. I have dominion over the devil and circumstances, and I live in the righteousness of God, and live as the righteousness of God. Nothing, and no one, can condemn me anymore, because God has justified and acquitted me. Glory to God!