We are made right with God by faith, not by our works or efforts. When we believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead, we are trusting in what He has done for us, not what we can do for ourselves. In that moment of faith, God imputes righteousness to us—He credits Jesus’ perfect obedience and sinless life to us.
Jesus Himself is the Righteous One, fully pleasing to God, and when we receive Him, He lives in us through the Holy Spirit. This means we are no longer under condemnation, and God sees us as righteous because of Christ. Our right standing with God is entirely based on His work in Jesus, not our performance.
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS
Romans 3:5 — But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man.)
1 John 1:9 — If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 Timothy 1:8-10 — But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.
2 Corinthians 5:21 — For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
RIGHTEOUSNESS
Matthew 5:6 — Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Matthew 6:33 — But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
John 5:24 — Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
Romans 1:16-17 — For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 3:22-24 — This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe… and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 4:3-5 — For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Romans 5:1 — Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:17 — Those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 6:18 — You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Romans 8:1 — Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Romans 9:30 — What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Romans 10:4 — Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Romans 10:10 — For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
1 Corinthians 1:30 — But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.
2 Corinthians 3:9 — For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
2 Corinthians 9:9 — He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.
Galatians 2:16 — Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ… because by the works of the law no one will be justified.
Galatians 3:11 — Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because ‘the righteous will live by faith.’
Ephesians 2:8-9 — For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 6:14 — Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.
Philippians 3:8-9 — Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 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.
2 Timothy 3:16 — All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Titus 3:5-7 — He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy… so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.
Hebrews 1:9 — You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions.
Hebrews 5:13-14 — For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 10:38 — But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.
Hebrews 11:7 — By faith Noah… became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
Isaiah 61:10 — I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.
