Clothed in Christ: The Gift of Righteousness
Summary
Just as the emperor in the old story was convinced he was clothed in splendor when in reality he was exposed, so too are we often deceived about our own righteousness. We tend to believe that our good deeds or moral efforts are enough to put us in good standing with God, but Scripture tells a different story. Our unrighteousness runs deeper than we realize, and even our best attempts at goodness fall short of God’s perfect standard. The truth is, we are spiritually bankrupt, unable to bridge the chasm between our sinfulness and God’s holiness by our own efforts.
Yet, in the midst of this sobering reality, God reveals Himself as Jehovah Tzidkanu—The Lord Our Righteousness. This name, first given in Jeremiah 23, points to the coming of a “righteous branch” from David’s line, a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one who perfectly embodies God’s righteousness, and He offers that righteousness as a gift to all who trust in Him. Through His sacrifice, Jesus bridges the gap between our sin and God’s holiness, declaring us righteous not because of our works, but because of His grace.
This gift of righteousness is not something we can earn or maintain by our own striving. It is freely given, stamped “approved” by God through the blood of Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, God not only forgives our sins but also credits us with Christ’s own righteousness. This is the heart of the gospel: we are justified—declared righteous—by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
The deep longing for approval that we all experience can only be satisfied in God. Whether we seek it in relationships, achievements, or the opinions of others, every other source will ultimately fail us. But in Christ, we are fully accepted, loved, and welcomed into God’s family. The invitation is to stop striving for approval elsewhere and to rest in the finished work of Jesus, cherishing the righteousness that is ours in Him. Let us live each day clothed in His righteousness, confident in the approval that comes from Jehovah Tzidkanu, the Lord our Righteousness.
Key Takeaways
- Our unrighteousness is far greater than we often admit. Even our best efforts and moral achievements cannot erase the reality of our sin before a holy God. The standard is not other people, but God Himself, and before Him, all fall short and stand in need of grace. [07:16]
- God’s righteousness is infinitely perfect and extends beyond our comprehension. He is not only good, but the very definition of goodness, justice, and beauty. His holiness exposes our need, but also assures us that He alone is able to provide what we lack. [16:26]
- Jesus, the Righteous Branch, is the fulfillment of God’s promise to provide righteousness for His people. In Christ, God both judges sin and provides the way for sinners to be declared righteous, upholding both His justice and His mercy. [22:17]
- The approval we crave is ultimately found only in God. Human approval is fleeting and conditional, but God’s approval—secured by Christ’s sacrifice—is permanent and unshakeable. We are invited to rest in this approval, rather than striving for it through our own performance or the opinions of others. [29:57]
- Receiving God’s righteousness is a gift, not a reward for effort. We are called to repent of self-reliance and trust wholly in Jesus, who imputes His righteousness to us. This frees us from the exhausting cycle of self-justification and empowers us to live with confidence and gratitude, clothed in Christ’s righteousness. [36:03]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:56] - The Deception of Self-Righteousness
[03:21] - Introducing Jehovah Tzidkanu
[05:51] - Why We Need the Lord Our Righteousness
[07:16] - The Depth of Our Unrighteousness
[08:52] - The Consequences of Sin
[10:22] - Comparing Ourselves to God’s Standard
[12:26] - The Futility of Self-Righteousness
[13:56] - Turning to Jehovah Tzidkanu
[14:45] - The Extent of God’s Righteousness
[16:26] - The Meaning and Origin of Jehovah Tzidkanu
[17:31] - The Context of Jeremiah’s Prophecy
[18:38] - Examining Our View of God’s Righteousness
[21:15] - Wrestling with God’s Justice and Love
[22:17] - Jesus: The Righteous Branch
[26:53] - The Only Hope: Christ’s Righteousness
[29:57] - Justification by Grace
[32:05] - The Mercy Seat and Christ’s Sacrifice
[33:29] - God as Just and Justifier
[35:23] - Receiving the Gift of Righteousness
[36:03] - Living in the Freedom of God’s Approval
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jehovah Tzidkanu—The Lord Our Righteousness
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### Bible Reading
- Jeremiah 23:5-6
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”
- Romans 3:23-26
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
- Romans 6:23
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In Jeremiah 23:5-6, what title is given to the coming king from David’s line, and what will he do for Judah and Israel?
2. According to Romans 3:23, what is true of every person, and what does this mean about our standing before God? [07:16]
3. What does Romans 3:24-26 say is the way people are justified or declared righteous before God?
4. In the sermon, what illustration was used to show how people can be deceived about their own righteousness? [01:56]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to reveal Himself as “The Lord Our Righteousness” (Jehovah Tzidkanu) in Jeremiah 23? What does this reveal about His character and our need? [16:26]
2. The sermon said that even our best efforts at goodness fall short of God’s perfect standard. Why is it so hard for people to accept that their own good deeds aren’t enough? [08:52]
3. Romans 3:25-26 talks about Jesus being a “propitiation” and God being both “just and the justifier.” What does it mean that God is both just and the one who justifies sinners? Why is this important? [33:29]
4. The pastor mentioned that we all have a deep longing for approval. Why do you think human approval is so fleeting, and why can only God’s approval truly satisfy? [29:57]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon compared us to the emperor who thought he was clothed in splendor but was actually exposed. Are there areas in your life where you might be trusting in your own “goodness” or image instead of God’s righteousness? What would it look like to be honest about that? [01:56]
2. When you think about your own sin, do you tend to compare yourself to others or to God’s standard? How does this affect your view of yourself and your need for grace? [10:22]
3. The message said that God’s righteousness is a gift, not a reward for effort. Are there ways you still try to “earn” God’s approval through your actions, even as a Christian? What would it look like to rest in Christ’s finished work instead? [36:03]
4. The pastor described how people seek approval in relationships, achievements, or the opinions of others. Where do you most often look for approval, and how has that shaped your life? [29:57]
5. If you have already trusted in Jesus, are you living each day “clothed in His righteousness,” or do you find yourself slipping back into old patterns of self-justification or shame? What helps you remember your identity in Christ? [35:23]
6. The sermon invited those who have never received God’s gift of righteousness to do so. If you haven’t yet trusted Jesus for forgiveness and righteousness, what questions or hesitations do you have? What would it look like to take a step of faith today? [36:03]
7. How can you encourage someone else this week who is struggling to feel “good enough” for God or others? What truth from this message could you share with them? [29:57]
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Closing Thought:
Let’s remember that our standing before God is not based on our performance, but on the perfect righteousness of Jesus, freely given to all who trust in Him. Let’s encourage each other to rest in that approval and live with confidence and gratitude, clothed in Christ’s righteousness.
Devotional
Day 1: Our Unrighteousness Extends Farther Than We Can Imagine
Every person, no matter how moral or upright they may appear, has fallen short of God’s perfect standard. We often compare ourselves to others, thinking we’re not as bad as the worst offenders, but the truth is that God Himself is the standard of righteousness, not other people. Even our best efforts and so-called good deeds are tainted by sin, and self-righteousness itself is a form of rebellion against God. The depth of our offenses is greater than we realize, and left to ourselves, we are spiritually bankrupt and unable to bridge the chasm between us and a holy God. [13:56]
Romans 3:23 (ESV)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Reflection: In what ways have you tried to justify yourself or compare your goodness to others, rather than honestly acknowledging your need for God’s mercy today?
Day 2: The Consequences of Sin Are Eternal
Sin is not just a matter of making mistakes or breaking rules; it carries with it a weighty consequence—separation from God, both now and forever. The wages of sin is death, which means not only physical death but also spiritual death, a separation from the Author of life. No amount of good deeds can erase the penalty that sin brings, and every person stands in need of rescue from this dire predicament. The reality of our situation is sobering, but it prepares our hearts to receive the hope that God offers. [08:52]
Romans 6:23 (ESV)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you tend to minimize the seriousness of sin? How can you bring that honestly before God today?
Day 3: God’s Righteousness Is Perfect and Unfailing
God’s righteousness is not just a little better than ours—it is infinitely perfect, beautiful, and holy. He is the standard of all that is right, and His character defines what is good in the universe. In the midst of a world marked by moral decay and failed leadership, God promised to raise up a Righteous Branch—a Savior who would be called “The Lord is our Righteousness.” This promise, fulfilled in Jesus, means that salvation and true righteousness come not from our efforts, but from God’s gracious provision. [18:38]
Jeremiah 23:5-6 (ESV)
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’”
Reflection: How does knowing that God’s righteousness is perfect and unchanging affect your trust in Him, especially when you face injustice or disappointment?
Day 4: We Are Justified and Approved by Faith in Jesus
The only hope for sinners—no matter their background or efforts—is to turn to Jesus, who offers His righteousness as a gift. Through faith in Christ, God declares us righteous, not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. This justification is like God stamping “approved” on our lives, not based on our merit, but on the blood of Jesus. It is a gift of grace, freely given to all who believe, and it means we are welcomed, loved, and accepted into God’s family. [29:57]
Romans 3:23-26 (ESV)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Reflection: Are you still trying to earn God’s approval in some area of your life, or are you resting in the approval that comes through faith in Jesus alone?
Day 5: Cherish and Live Out the Gift of Righteousness
For those who have received God’s gift of righteousness, the call is to cherish it, enjoy it, and walk in it daily. There is no need to strive for approval from people, achievements, or even religious performance—God’s approval is already stamped on your life through Christ. Instead of living like the emperor, pretending to be clothed in our own goodness, we are invited to be clothed in the righteousness of God and to live with confidence, gratitude, and a desire to honor Him in all we do. [36:03]
2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Reflection: What would it look like for you to stop seeking approval from others and instead live confidently in the righteousness God has given you in Christ today?
Quotes
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