There are many theological words which most people β even most Christian people β do not under-stand. Among these is the Bible word βrighteousnessβ. Actually, though, this word is very simple and we ought to understand about Godβs righteousness even before we learn of His love.
Righteousness is simply an old word forΒ rightness. When we say that God is righteous, we simply mean that what He does is alwaysΒ right; that He will not and cannot do anything that is notΒ right. This is why Paul declares in RomansΒ 1:16, 17:
βI am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believethβ¦FOR THEREIN IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS [rightness] OF GOD REVEALEDβ¦β
We are proud to proclaim the gospel of the grace of God because it emphasizes GodβsΒ rightness. The gospel does not tell us that God will overlook our sins or wink at them and smuggle us into heaven. It doesnβt tell us that He will forgive us if we are sorry enough or do enough good deeds to counterbalance our sins.Β By no means.
The βgospel of the grace of Godβ is based on HisΒ rightness. It is the wonderful message that βChrist died for our sinsβ, that He paid for them Himself so that He might justly offer us forgiveness and declare us righteous.
RomansΒ 3:26Β puts it beautifully. There the apostle declares that since our sins were paid for by Christ at Calvary, God can now βbe just β and the Justifier of him who believes in Jesusβ.
For centuries religious people have said to each other: βWe must be truly sorry for our sins and do all the good we can and surely God will forgive and accept usβ. But this is not the gospel. The gospel gives us more solid ground to plant our feet upon. It says to every man, woman and child: βYour sins were PAID FOR by Christ at Calvary. Trust in Him and you will be savedβ. This is gospel [good news] indeed, for it is based on the just payment of the penalty for sin. source
