Righteousness through faith

Justification by Faith

            Some months back, a mentor gave me the book of psalms 33 to go through and apply in my life. The first verse of the book made me think he’d made a mistake- sing joyfully to the lord, you righteous, for it is fitting for the upright to praise Him. Before even reading to the end, I had already concluded that it did not refer to me. I mean, righteous? Upright? Am not a bad person, and I’ve been born again for quite sometime, but those words really sound a bit too strong, a bit not like how I’d describe myself, a bit not like how most Christians would describe themselves either.

            At that point, I started wondering what I’d do to be righteous, what would I change about my life, about my whole self. What did I need to do different to make me upright? Then I remembered what the scriptures say about Abraham, that he believed in God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. I realized that it is not what I do, but rather my faith in Christ makes me righteous.

            As Paul outlines at the end of Romans chapter 3 and chapter 4, I discovered that my imperfections do not actually take away the fact that am righteous, or that I am the righteousness of God. I also humbly discovered then in that case, I cannot think myself better than other Christians, even those that seem a little less holy, because they too have been justified by the same faith.

            And just as well, no Christian can boast that he is better than me, for the same belief in Christ that makes him upright is the same belief that makes me upright. For we have been justified by faith, and not by works, lest any man should boast.

            Next time you feel a little inadequate, or not good enough for God, remember that verse. So its not how many church services you attend, its not how long you pray, its not how many projects you volunteer for, or how much you give as offerings; though all these are good Christian practices that bear their own reward, the will not make you upright. The point of righteousness is faith in Christ; all other good works should be done as a result of that belief.