Receiving Righteousness: The Gift of Christ
Summary
Throughout history, humanity has longed for a leader who is truly righteous—one who rules with justice, wisdom, and love, never abusing power or seeking personal gain. This longing is not just a political or social issue, but a deep spiritual ache rooted in our own brokenness. Righteousness, as revealed in Scripture, is not simply about moral behavior or avoiding wrongdoing; it is a life perfectly aligned with the character and standard of God—marked by perfect justice, truth, purity, and love. The tragedy is that none of us possess this righteousness by nature or by effort. Our attempts to fix ourselves, to cover our shame, or to earn God’s approval are as futile as washing muddy clothes in dirty water.
Jeremiah 23 speaks into a time of national and spiritual collapse, when leaders had failed and the people had turned from God. Yet, in the midst of judgment and failure, God promises hope: a “righteous branch” from David’s line, a King who will reign with true justice and righteousness. This is not a call to try harder, but a declaration that God Himself will provide what we cannot produce. The name given—Jehovah Sidkenu, “The Lord is our righteousness”—is the answer to our deepest need. God does not merely give us new rules or a second chance; He gives us Himself. In Christ, righteousness is not something we achieve, but something we receive by faith.
This gift of righteousness is not theoretical or distant. Through Jesus’ substitutionary death, our guilt is placed on Him, and His righteousness is credited to us. This changes everything: we are accepted, justified, and secure—not because of our performance, but because of Christ’s finished work. The law was never meant to be a ladder to climb, but a mirror to show our need for a Savior. When we trust in Christ, we are not only forgiven, but also transformed. God’s righteousness reforms us from the inside out, shaping our desires, actions, and relationships. Grace does not make obedience optional; it empowers us to live out the new life we have received.
In every area—marriage, parenting, work, and church—this righteousness calls us to serve, love, and pursue holiness, not out of fear or striving, but from a place of rest and acceptance. The Lord is our righteousness: this is the hope for every sinner, the promise for every struggler, and the foundation for a life that is truly changed.
Key Takeaways
- True righteousness is not merely about outward morality or good deeds, but about a life fully aligned with God’s character—perfect justice, truth, and love. Our deepest problem is not just what we do, but who we are apart from God. Only by facing the reality of our own unrighteousness can we see our need for a righteousness that comes from outside ourselves. [02:07]
- Human effort, religious striving, and self-improvement cannot produce the righteousness God requires. Like Adam and Eve’s fig leaves or Martin Luther’s monkish discipline, our attempts to cover our guilt or earn acceptance always fall short. Righteousness must be given, not achieved, and it is found only in the person and work of Jesus Christ. [08:18]
- The gospel is not an invitation to try harder, but a call to trust deeper. Jesus is not just a model of righteousness; He is our righteousness. Through faith, His perfect record is credited to us, and our guilt is placed on Him. This is the heart of substitution: Jesus died not just for us, but instead of us, so that we might become the righteousness of God. [12:38]
- When Christ becomes our righteousness, it transforms not only our standing before God but also our daily lives. Grace reforms us from the inside out, reshaping our desires, actions, and relationships. Obedience flows from rest, and holiness is pursued not to earn acceptance, but because we have already been accepted. [18:14]
- The peace and security promised in Christ are not dependent on circumstances, but on the settled reality of our justification. Because the Lord is our righteousness, we are safe, secure, and justified—free from condemnation and empowered to live with integrity, love, and confidence. This is not just a covering for our past, but a calling for our present and future. [20:39]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:42] - The Human Longing for a Righteous Leader
[01:21] - What Is True Righteousness?
[03:22] - God’s Promise in Jeremiah 23
[04:52] - The Depth of Our Problem: Internal and External
[06:20] - The Futility of Human Effort
[08:18] - Righteousness Must Be Given, Not Achieved
[09:39] - Jehovah Sidkenu: The Lord Is Our Righteousness
[10:50] - The Law as Mirror, Not Ladder
[12:38] - The Substitution of Christ
[14:20] - The Significance of God’s Name
[16:03] - Faith: Receiving Righteousness
[17:45] - Reformed by Grace
[18:53] - Living Out Righteousness in Everyday Life
[20:39] - Peace and Security in Christ
[22:33] - The Transforming Power of Grace
[24:21] - Hope in the Righteous Branch
[25:28] - The Invitation to Trust Christ
[26:08] - Rest, Rejoice, Respond: Living in Christ’s Righteousness
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "The Lord Is Our Righteousness"
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### Bible Reading
Jeremiah 23:1-6 (ESV)
1 “Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord.
2 Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: “You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the Lord.
3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply.
4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord.
5 “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.
6 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.’”
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Jeremiah 23:5-6, what kind of leader does God promise to raise up for His people? What will be the defining characteristics of this leader?
2. In the sermon, what does the name "Jehovah Sidkenu" mean, and why is it significant for us today? [09:39]
3. What was the spiritual and moral condition of Judah at the time Jeremiah gave this prophecy? [04:52]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between human attempts at righteousness and the righteousness God provides? [06:48]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that righteousness is not just about outward behavior but about being fully aligned with God’s character. Why is this distinction important for understanding our need for a Savior? [02:07]
2. The preacher mentions that the law is a mirror, not a ladder. What does this mean, and how should it shape the way we approach God’s commands? [10:50]
3. The sermon describes Jesus as not only giving us righteousness but being our righteousness. How does this change the way a believer relates to God and to their own failures? [16:03]
4. The message says that grace reforms us from the inside out, affecting our desires, actions, and relationships. What are some practical ways this transformation might show up in everyday life? [18:14]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon compares our efforts to become righteous to "washing muddy clothes in dirty water." In what areas of your life do you find yourself trying to fix or clean yourself up instead of trusting Christ’s righteousness? What would it look like to stop striving and start trusting? [06:48]
2. When you think about your relationship with God, do you feel more like you’re trying to earn His approval or resting in what Christ has done for you? What is one step you could take this week to rest in Christ’s finished work? [17:08]
3. The message says that grace doesn’t make obedience optional, but empowers us to obey. Is there an area where you’ve been using grace as an excuse not to change? How can you let God’s grace motivate you to pursue holiness in that area? [19:37]
4. In your marriage, parenting, work, or church life, where do you see the need for God’s righteousness to reshape your actions or attitudes? Can you name a specific relationship or situation where you want to see this change? [18:14]
5. The preacher asks if there’s any part of your life that doesn’t reflect the righteousness you’ve received. Is there a habit, attitude, or area where you’re “coasting or compromising”? What’s one practical step you can take to let Christ’s righteousness change that area? [23:40]
6. The sermon says, “Rest, because the work is done. Rejoice, because your standing is secure. Respond, because grace changes you.” Which of these three is hardest for you right now, and why? What would it look like to grow in that area this week? [26:08]
7. The message says that the peace and security we have in Christ are not dependent on circumstances. When life feels unstable, what helps you remember that your acceptance and security are found in Jesus, not in your performance or situation? [20:39]
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Devotional
Day 1: The Lord Is Our Righteousness—Not Our Own Effort
Righteousness is not something we can achieve by striving, rule-keeping, or self-improvement; it is a gift that only God can provide. Every generation longs for a leader who is truly righteous, but history and our own hearts reveal that we fall short of God’s perfect standard. Our best efforts are like polluted garments, and our attempts to fix ourselves are as futile as washing muddy clothes in dirty water. The hope for true righteousness is not found in our performance, but in the promise God made: “Behold, the days are coming…when I will raise up for David a righteous branch.” This is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.” Only in Christ do we find the answer to our deepest need. [04:10]
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: Where in your life are you still trying to earn God’s approval instead of resting in the righteousness He freely gives through Jesus?
Day 2: Our Need for Righteousness—We All Fall Short
No one is naturally righteous; by nature and by choice, we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. Scripture is clear that none is righteous—not even one—and all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags. This is not just a problem for ancient Judah, but for every human heart. We don’t just break rules; we break relationship with a holy God, and our guilt demands justice. The law was never meant to be a ladder to climb, but a mirror to show us our need for a Savior. Our hope is not in our own goodness, but in the righteousness that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. [06:20]
Romans 3:10, 3:23 (ESV)
“As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one;’ … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself comparing your goodness to others instead of honestly admitting your need for God’s righteousness?
Day 3: Christ’s Righteousness Is Given to Us by Faith
The righteousness God requires is the righteousness He provides—fully, freely, and right now—through faith in Jesus. Jesus didn’t just die for us; He died instead of us, taking our guilt and giving us His perfect record. This is what theologians call “imputed righteousness”—the righteousness of Jesus credited to our account. The moment you trust Him, you are declared righteous, not because of anything you have done, but because of what Christ has done for you. This exchange is the heart of the gospel: “For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” [12:38]
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 striving and start trusting that Christ’s righteousness is truly enough for you today?
Day 4: Grace Reforms Us—Righteousness Is a Calling, Not Just a Covering
God’s grace doesn’t just declare us righteous; it transforms us from the inside out. When you truly grasp that Christ is your righteousness, you stop striving for approval and start living from acceptance. Grace leads to obedience, not out of fear, but out of love. It reshapes your marriage, your parenting, your work, and your service in the church. Like a blacksmith shaping metal, God’s grace reforms us, making us more like Christ. The righteousness you’ve received is not just a covering for your past, but a calling for your present and future. [18:14]
Romans 6:14 (ESV)
“For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you’re coasting or compromising, rather than letting God’s grace reshape you into Christ’s likeness?
Day 5: Peace and Security Flow from Justification by Faith
True peace and security do not come from better circumstances, but from knowing that your righteousness problem has been solved in Christ. Because you have been justified by faith, you have peace with God—no longer condemned, but safe, secure, and justified. This peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of Christ, who Himself is our peace. Let the reality of your justification lead you to rest, rejoice, and respond with a life that reflects the righteousness you have received. [20:39]
Romans 5:1 (ESV)
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can let the peace of Christ shape your response to stress or uncertainty this week?
Quotes
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