But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
Psalm 103:17
The mercy of the LORD being given to us is not a difficult concept for most to appreciate. However, the LORD giving us his righteousness is not as clear cut for many.
God declares in Romans 3:10 ….There is none righteous, no, not one.
Romans 3:10
KJV
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
But he also said:
Ezekiel 18:26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness…….
Ezekiel 18:26
KJV
When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.
It’s not a contradiction, the righteous man was righteous because righteousness was ‘given’ to him. When he turns from “his righteousness” that is, Christ’s righteousness, this means turning away from the gift and by extension the one who gave it, Christ.
How do we receive “his righteousness” i.e. the righteousness of God?
Consider:
Habakkuk 2:4 …..but the just shall live by his faith.
Galatians 2:20 …..I live by the faith of the Son of God
‘His faith’ = the faith of the Son of God. ‘His righteousness’ also = the righteousness of the Son of God.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; [22] Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 3:21-22 KJV
According to Romains 3:21, we receive righteousness by believing in Jesus. We are considered righteous, only when we have “his righteousness” and we gain “his righteousness” when we place our full faith in Jesus Christ alone.
