Introduction
As Christians, we often hear the words righteousness and holiness used interchangeably. However, while the two concepts are related, they are not the same thing. Righteousness refers to our standing before God, while holiness refers to our behavior as a result of our relationship with Him.
In this blog post, we will explore the relationship between righteousness and holiness, and how these two concepts work together to help us grow in our faith and relationship with God.
What is Righteousness?
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Righteousness is a term used throughout the Bible to describe our standing before God. In the Old Testament, we see that righteousness is attributed to those who follow God’s laws and commands. For example, in Deuteronomy 6:25, God promises that “it will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us.”
In the New Testament, righteousness takes on a new meaning with the coming of Jesus Christ. In Romans 3:22-24, we read that “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 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.” Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are made righteous before God, not because of our own works, but because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross.
What is Holiness?
While righteousness refers to our standing before God, holiness refers to our behavior as a result of our relationship with Him. In Leviticus 19:2, God commands the Israelites to “be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Holiness is about living a life that is set apart for God’s purposes and in accordance with His will. It is about living a life that is pure, moral, and obedient to God’s commands.
In the New Testament, we see that holiness is not something we can achieve on our own. Instead, it is a result of our relationship with Jesus Christ. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, we read, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.'” As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we are transformed to be more like Him and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
The Relationship between Righteousness and Holiness
While righteousness and holiness are distinct concepts, they are closely related. Our righteousness before God is a result of our faith in Jesus Christ, but it is also a catalyst for our pursuit of holiness. As we grow in our understanding of our righteousness before God, we are motivated to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we read that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” As we are made new in Christ, our old way of living is replaced with a new way of living that is characterized by holiness. This transformation is not something we can achieve on our own, but it is a result of our relationship with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
In Romans 6:11-14, we read that “you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
This passage emphasizes the importance of presenting ourselves to God as instruments for righteousness. We are to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him, not in a way that gratifies our own selfish desires.
As we pursue holiness in our lives, we are not doing so to earn our salvation or to prove our righteousness before God. Rather, we are pursuing holiness as a result of our love for Him and our desire to live in accordance with His will. In Ephesians 2:8-9, we read that “for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Our salvation is a gift from God, and our pursuit of holiness is a result of our gratitude for that gift.
Conclusion
In conclusion, righteousness and holiness are two closely related concepts that work together to help us grow in our faith and relationship with God. Our righteousness before God is a result of our faith in Jesus Christ, but it also motivates us to pursue holiness in our lives. As we grow in our relationship with Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are transformed to be more like Him and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.
As Christians, our pursuit of holiness is not something we can achieve on our own. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can live a life that is pleasing to God. We must rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us and transform us into the image of Christ. Our pursuit of holiness is not to earn our salvation, but to express our gratitude for the gift of salvation that God has given us.
Let us strive to live lives that are characterized by both righteousness and holiness, as we seek to grow in our faith and relationship with God. May we always remember that our righteousness before God is a result of our faith in Jesus Christ, and may we pursue holiness in our lives as a result of our love for Him and our desire to live in accordance with His will.
