Righteousness Fulfilled

God sent His Son as our substitute to condemn sin, in order that "the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us" (Rom. 8:4, KJV). He condemned sin so that the demands of the law might be satisfied, thus enabling us to live by God's Word. In other words, our justification through the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross leads to our sanctification.

God did not free us from our sin so that we could do as we please. Rather, He freed us from our sin so that we would do as He pleases. God did not redeem us so that we could continue sinning. He redeemed us so that we might begin to live righteously by having "the righteous requirement of the Law… fulfilled in us" (v. 4a).

Paul goes on to say that the law is fulfilled in those of us "who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit" (v. 4b). Only those who seek to follow Christ in obedience and who show the fruits of righteous living in their lives are truly justified in Christ. Holiness is the proof that we have been reconciled to God. Lack of holy living is evidence to the contrary.

Only those who know God through Christ can move on toward righteous living. And everyone who knows God through faith in Christ will go on toward holy living. Your justification demands it, and the Holy Spirit dwelling within you provides the way. That is God's message.

Verse 4 tells us that there is no condemnation to those who "walk… according to the Spirit" (v. 4b), because they are the ones "who are in Christ Jesus" (v. 1a). If you truly believe on Jesus for your salvation, you will "walk… according to the Spirit" (v. 4b). There are no exceptions. Again, this is made certain by the Holy Spirit living within you.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20, NASB). Later in that same chapter, Jesus commanded, "You are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:48, NASB). God's intent in saving you is not only to bring you into eternal life with Him, but to bring you into a life of righteous living right now. Righteousness is at the very heart of God's salvation promise.

Positional righteousness should be reflected in practical righteousness. In Christ, you are declared to be righteous. In Christ, you should live righteously right now. Galatians 2:20 says, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

God saved us so that He might make us righteous. Let Christ live in and through you, and your changed life will stand as proof of your salvation. Such a life lived by faith in God's Son will assure your heart of the certainty of your eternity with Christ. That is God's salvation promise. Amen.