The Gift of Righteousness

For years, scholars and Christians have debated about the righteousness of God, and whether or not are we walking in it. The topic concerning the righteousness of God is quite simple, but we have made it difficult to walk in it because of our differences in opinions.

Some believe that we obtain true righteousness through works, while others believe that it is by faith. In this article, we will discuss the origin of righteousness and the origin of self-righteousness.

God created man without the influence of sin; that is, righteous. God created Adam in His image, which includes His characteristics and righteousness. Thus, Adam was righteous. Then God took one of Adam’s ribs and created Eve. The scriptures tell us that the woman is the glory of the man (her husband). So, whatever image the man is in, his wife will reflect it. Eve was righteous because of Adam and Adam was righteous because of God. Therefore, they were a righteous couple. Without commandments and good works, Adam and Eve were righteous. Their righteousness was inherit in their physical being because God created them in righteousness.

God told them to be fruitful and multiply. Adam and Eve were to populate the earth by the command of God. God intended for all of mankind to be righteous. Even though Adam and Eve failed to maintain their righteousness, God’s plan never changed concerning righteous sons and daughters. Righteousness is a gift that is given by God to us as believers, but we must work to maintain it.

What is the work that we must do to maintain our righteousness? The answer is simple, Follow Christ! We must walk in obedience to God. Obedience is the key to maintaining our righteousness in God through Christ. Once we have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, God imputes righteousness to us. However, we must demonstrate this righteousness by faith through good works. Ephesians 4:24 in the King James Version states that believers should put on the new man which, after God, is created in righteousness and true holiness. In doing so, His gift of righteousness will not be bestowed upon us in vain.

The Gift Of Giving

Then again she became with child and gave birth to Abel, his brother. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a farmer. And after a time, Cain gave to the Lord an offering of the fruits of the earth. And Abel gave an offering of the young lambs of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord was pleased with Abel’s offering; But in Cain and his offering he had no pleasure. And Cain was angry and his face became sad. And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? and why is your face sad? If you do well, will you not have honour? and if you do wrong, sin is waiting at the door, desiring to have you, but do not let it be your master. (Genesis 4:2-7, Bible In Basic English)

The art of true giving comes from the heart and not out of obligation. We are under the dispensation of grace and not the law as Israel was. Therefore, the majority of that nation have shown us what not to do because of their hard hearts and they would not glorify God in all that they were allowed to do by His grace and mercy. Therefore, let us commit ourselves to giving from the heart and not because we have to.