Attributes of God on F.I.R.E.Sample

How do we become righteous?

Faith in Jesus’ finished work as described in the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3–4) communicates the means whereby sinners are declared righteous. Paul skillfully describes the work of God’s imputed righteousness to those who receive Jesus through faith in 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Unlike all religions that emphasize works, Paul argues that Christianity uniquely imparts God’s righteousness through faith (Romans 4:5). Salvation, carrying the declaration of righteousness to sinners, is a gift. Again, we turn to Paul for an amplification. “For if by the one man’s offense [Adam] 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). Praise God for the gift of righteousness received through faith!

Since the Father’s righteousness is received by faith, the child of God is called to flee temporal prizes and pursue righteous living (1 Timothy 6:10-11, 2 Timothy 2:22). The dual commands “flee” and “pursue” clearly steer us to diligently avoid submitting to the innate desires inherited from Adam while habitually and aggressively striving for God’s righteous standards as revealed in His Word.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). God’s mark of favor will be upon His children who crave God’s righteousness.

Employment Point: Receive God’s righteousness by faith and pursue righteous living.