For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jews and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. As it is written 'The just shall live by faith'(Rom 1:16,17)
When bible speaks of the righteousness of God, it does not only point to the inherent flawless nature of God but also speaks of His righteous provision to save sinful man (Rom 1:17,3:5,10:3,2 Cor 5:21). This provision of salvation is revealed by the gospel (Rom 1:16), where man who - is under wrath (consequent of sin nature) hears the gospel, believes and is saved. The gospel shows us how righteous God is, in His plan for us to be saved and also how we may be made fit for eternal life. By trusting Christ, our relationship with God is made right ‘FROM FIRST TO LAST” only by faith are we righteous.
Now, what is the gospel? This is good news of how Jesus came to the world to die for the sin of man and that he also resurrected for the justification of man (1Cor 15:1-4, Rom 4:25). Therefore, righteousness was extended to man through the gospel by faith.
This righteousness is apart from works. Christ fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law (Rom 8:4) and gave us right to stand before God unashamed not having our own righteousness which is of the law but which is by faith in Christ (Phil 3:9).
The only way to please God now is by faith. Even in the Old Testament, bible records that the men that lived then, obtained good report by faith (Heb 11:2). Therefore, faith is the only way to please God. “But without faith it is impossible to please God…”(Heb 11:6). Faith is the law of righteousness.
Our righteousness cannot be earned but a gift from God to His Heirs (Rom 5:17). We have faith as the only rule to living righteously.
Remember friends, our righteousness is through faith in Christ and sustained by faith alone.
Moses Describe righteousness by the law but Jesus brought it By Faith.
