For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. — ROMANS 5:17

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness . . . . — ROMANS 10:10

Most people think righteousness is a state of spiritual development which you grow into by right living. The Bible teaches right living — but right living itself will never make you righteous. (If it would, you wouldn’t need Jesus.)

Righteousness means rightness, or right standing with God.

Righteousness is a gift. A gift is something you receive now — whole and complete. A fruit, on the other hand, is a state of spiritual development— something which grows and develops. Thank God, we can grow spiritually — but we cannot grow in righteousness. In fact, you won’t be any more righteous when you get to Heaven than you are right now.

How did you get to be righteous? You were born that way! Righteousness comes through the New Birth. With your heart you believed unto righteousness. When you were born again, you received the life and nature of God the Father (John 5:24,26; 2 Peter 1:4). God’s nature makes you righteous!

Confession: I have righteousness. It was given to me. I believed unto righteousness and I received it at my New Birth. I have right standing with God. I am righteous.