“The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
But He loves him who pursues righteousness.”
Proverbs 15:9
It’s only my dullness that keeps my heart from shouting out for joy over the gift of righteousness given to me in Christ. Christ’s very own righteousness – for me – as a free gift? What could I give for it, how could I prepare my heart to make it worthy for this gift? I can’t give anything – I can’t do anything. The imputation of Christ’s righteousness is an inestimable gift that comes only by grace through God given faith.
The Lord loves those who pursue righteousness. But how can I pursue something that has already been completely delivered to me by grace? Clearly there is a call to pursue righteousness. There is a sense in which those who have been given righteousness as a gift are still yet to become the righteousness of God.
There is a profound danger in the pursuit of righteousness. Nevertheless all those who are called by God and given the gift of Christ’s righteousness must pursue also it. Paul testifies to the danger of pursuing righteousness the wrong way in Philippians 3:9.
…and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,
Paul was keenly aware of the difference between pursuing righteousness as from the law, a self-attained righteousness – from pursuing righteousness which comes from God, that is, Christ’s righteousness. In Romans Paul repeatedly contrasts the pursuit of righteousness by means of the law with the receiving of righteousness through faith.
In my human pride I am always engaged in the tension between walking in the righteousness of Christ by faith and walking in a supposed righteousness of my own human effort. I must therefore wrestle with my own motives and labor to walk according to faith, putting to death the tendency to walk according to boasting. Yet from God’s perspective there is no fine line between types of righteousness. There is only one righteousness; His righteousness. And Christ’s righteousness is our only righteousness. All other “kinds” of righteousness are, in fact, no-righteousness. They are a sham, they are a disgrace, and they are, as Paul puts it, “as dung.”
The procession of Christ’s righteousness for my righteousness is all that matters. Yet the procession of Christ’s righteousness does not conclude my pursuit of righteousness, it begins it!
All pursuit of “righteousness” that preceded receiving Christ’s righteousness was actually the pursuit of no-righteousness. All pursuit of righteousness after receiving Christ’s righteousness, but which is not pursed by faith in Christ, is the arrogant pursuit of no-righteousness. All pursuit of righteousness after receiving Christ’s righteousness that is pursued by faith – is the pursuit of righteousness that God loves!
What qualities correspond with pursuing righteousness by faith?
Humility – all such righteousness is the result of God’s gracious work, they cannot be credited to me.
Peace – “The seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace,” James 3:18.
Patience – the precious produce of the soil – the harvest of righteousness comes in God’s perfect timing.
Quiet confidence – for God is the giver – he will also be the completer, “…even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:21
Lord, please increase my heart’s capacity to be deeply affected by the glorious truth that Christ’s righteousness is my righteousness. Please grant me a humble faith that is able to pursue righteousness in a way that does not disgrace the glory of Christ but rather produces the fragrant aroma of pure righteousness, the righteousness of Christ. In your precious name. Amen.
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