The Necessity of Righteousness

"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" (Rom. 3:28). "For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright"(Ps. 11:7, NKJV). "The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, But He loves him who follows righteousness" (Prov. 15:9, NKJV). "Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed"(1 Pet. 2:24, NKJV). "That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit"(Rom. 8:4, NKJV). " 'But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you' "(Matt. 6:33, NKJV). "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him"(1 John 2:29, NKJV).


Referring to the texts quoted above, respond to the following questions:

If we cannot be justified by the law, how then are we justified?

We are justified by faith. Rom 1:17 , Gal 2:20 , Hab 2:4 , Eph 2:8.
To be justified means that we are declared righteous, meaning we are
declared to be right with God. Because we have all sinned there is no
way we can be declared to be righteous unless we are declared
righteous on the merits of a sinless person. This transaction takes
place when we accept what Christ has done for us in dying to take
away our sins. Through faith in Jesus we can be Justified, and
declared righteous before God.


Although we know that God hates sin but loves sinners, what wrong conclusions must we avoid?

God has an everlasting love for us Jerm 31:3 , But the bible also
declares that the soul that sins shall die (Ezk 18:20), and the
wages of sin is death.(Rom 6:23) , (Gal 4:7) declares that we should
not be deceived because whatever we sow we will also reap.

Although God loves the sinner, and hates the sin it does not mean
that there will not be consequences. God in His love can not allow
sin to go unchecked forever. Everyone has the opportunity to be
delivered from there sins through Christ therefore we are without
excuse.


What does it mean: "that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us"? Can we ever keep the law well enough to fulfill it? Or does Paul mean something else? If so, what?

This bible declares that , there is no condemnation to those who
are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). It also states here that the righteousness
of the law is fulfilled in those who do not walk according to the flesh
but according to the Spirit (Rom 8:4).We can not of ourselves do this
but it is the yielding of our lives to the outworking of the life of
Christ in us through the Holy Spirit which accomplishes this.


How should our lives be changed when we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?

When we seek the righteousness of Christ we seek to yield our will
to His will. In addition to this we desire to spend time in His
word and to witness and share His love with others. Those who seek
the righteousness of God place themselves in places of opportunity
to to hear God's word and associate with others who desire the same
thing.


What does it mean "to do righteousness"? Can we be righteous without doing righteousness? Justify your answer.

1 Jon 2:29 Says "If you know that He is righteous, you know that
everyone also who practices righteousness is born of Him. Mat 7:16
declares that we will know them by their fruits.1 John 3:38 says we
should not love in word and tongue only , but in deed and truth. Those
who profess righteousness should have a practical demonstration of that righteousness.

Prayer: Father we desire to be holy, we desire to be righteous, you recognize our frailty and our humanity. Pour upon us the righteousness of Jesus Christ and please fill us up. Grant us faith that we may be righteous and ennobled by your transforming love. In Jesus name amen.