In this second part of the teaching on righteousness, we build upon the first part, which outlined the three kinds of righteousness as revealed in the New Testament. This continuation aims to further explore and deepen the understanding of righteousness in the Christian context.
Three Kinds of Righteousness
The New Testament presents three kinds of righteousness, with the first two being based on (1) personal conscience-based righteousness (doing what your conscience tells you) and (2) law-based righteousness (righteousness based on obedience to the Mosaic law), neither of which constitutes the righteousness of God.
We encourage you to refer to part one for a detailed explanation.
The third kind is the righteousness of God (also called the righteousness of faith), which Paul unfolds in Romans and elsewhere and which this teaching centers on, is both distinct from the law and revealed through faith.
The righteousness of God, articulated by Paul, is revealed through the gospel (the good news about Christ and His redemptive work), and received by faith in Christ, rather than by adherence to the law.
In Romans 3:21, this righteousness is made known and also echoed in Romans 1:17 where it states that the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. This righteousness is founded on faith, emphasizing that the righteous shall live by faith.
As Believers, we are assured that this righteousness, which cannot be lost or stained by sin, is not based on our own merits but solely on the faithfulness of Jesus. Consequently, righteousness is not something to be sought or grown into; it is already fully possessed by believers in Christ.
“Gospel” here refers to the gospel of the grace of God; the finished work of Christ ; the news of what God accomplished for us in Jesus
Righteousness as a Gift
Righteousness is not something we can attain through our efforts; it is a gift from God as described in Romans 5:17.
The righteousness of God is given/received through faith in Jesus Christ (the “righteousness that is by faith”).
Romans 3:22 and Romans 1:17 teach that it is received by faith and is available to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike.
This gift is unearned and is given solely based on belief in Jesus Christ, rather than through moral actions or good behavior. Many may be misled into thinking they must work for righteousness, but the truth of the new covenant confirms that it is freely received, not achieved.
How the righteousness of God is received
Righteousness is a gift received through the new birth when we accept Jesus as Lord, not something we earn. Believing in Christ (confession with the mouth and belief in the heart) results in justification/being made righteous.
Romans 10:9-10 is cited to show the mouth-and-heart dynamic of salvation and justification by faith.
Righteousness means our God‑given, perfect, and permanent status/standing/relationship with God. The Father has made and declares us right and flawless in his presence because of our union with Christ by faith through the new birth; it is not earned or merited but received by faith.
This righteousness is founded on the faithfulness, merits, and goodness of Jesus Christ, not on our own merits, moral performance, or obedience to the law.
As believers, we are beneficiaries of Christ’s redemptive work; God imputes and also imparts this righteousness to us through our union with Christ.
This new covenant righteousness allows us to stand before the Father without a sense of sin, guilt, inferiority, or condemnation, as we become His children, unconditionally loved and justified.
(Romans 8:1 is cited to reinforce “no condemnation” for those in Christ Jesus.)
So, the Father now sees believers as His children, holy and blameless, and no longer primarily as sinners, even though believers still experience sin in the flesh; this standing is unconditional acceptance and justification based on Christ’s righteousness.
Paul urges us to awaken to the reality of this righteousness already bestowed upon us, emphasizing awareness and consciousness of our identity as the righteousness of God in Christ. This awakening enables us to live in alignment with this truth, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 15:34.
As believers, we are to awaken to or become aware of the reality of the righteousness we already have in Christ rather than striving to earn it. Paul’s command to “awake to righteousness” is interpreted as an instruction to live in the conscious reality of our declared status, not to attempt to earn righteousness by stopping sin first.
This righteousness cannot be soiled, stained, or made conditional by personal sin because it is not grounded in our performance but in Christ’s merit. Fears about losing righteousness or being “stained” are contrary to this gospel truth.
The Bible never teaches such.
The New Testament never teaches such.
We don't lose our righteousness.
Another thing we have to also understand is that we don't seek God's righteousness.
What if I told you that literally speaking, that particular verse in Matthew 6, is not referring to the new covenant believer.
The phrase “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” does not refer to New Covenant believers in the present grace age because believers already belong to the kingdom and already possess God’s righteousness by virtue of being in Christ; therefore the text is read as non-literal for those who are already born again under the new covenant.
Growth for believers is growth in knowledge and understanding of this righteousness (doctrinal and experiential awareness), not growth in the amount of righteousness possessed; you do not become “more righteous” than you already are in Christ. You can only grow in understanding of that standing.
Key Scripture anchors cited in the teaching (for study)
Romans 1:17 - “righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel; by faith”.
Romans 3:21-22 - “apart from the law… the righteousness of God has been made known… given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe”.
Romans 10:6-10 -the righteousness that is by faith; confession and heart belief bring salvation / justification.
Romans 5:17 - speaks of the “gift of righteousness” received through Christ’s provision of grace.
1 Corinthians 15:34 - exhortation to “awake to righteousness” (awareness of positional righteousness).
Romans 8:1 - “no condemnation” for those in Christ Jesus, connected to the believer’s righteous standing.
Conclusion and Encouragement
This righteousness also describes the authority and influence believers share with Christ because of our union with Him and our new status in Him.
Always recognize your righteousness in Christ and stay encouraged in faith.
For further details, I encourage you to watch the full teaching recording (part 2) where Pastor Prize expands on these points.
(A Prize Chukwuka Teaching)
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