If God is the object of our faith, as we discussed in the prior post, what is the outcome of our faith? Scripture answers this clearly: the outcome of our faith is to receive the righteousness of God.

What is righteousness?

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines righteousness as “acting in accord with divine or moral law: free from guilt or sin” and being “morally right or justifiable1.”

During His earthly ministry, Jesus told people to repent and believe in the Good News – that their promised Messiah was here (Mark 1:14-15). He promised that when they did, they would experience the forgiveness of their sins as He exchanged His righteousness for their sin. Second Corinthians 5:21 states, "[Father God] made [Jesus] who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in [Jesus]." On the cross, God held Jesus accountable for our sin so that this righteousness replacement would be available to all who place their faith and trust in Jesus. Without faith, we remain accountable for our sin before God.

Jesus’ sacrifice was enough for all sin for all time, but this righteousness is not applied to us until we genuinely place our belief and trust in Jesus. In Romans 3:22 (CSB), Paul writes, “The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.” When you believe in Jesus and put your faith in Him, choosing to make Him both Savior and Lord of your life, God no longer sees your sin and will no longer hold you accountable for your sin. God replaces your sin with righteousness in His eyes.

This foundational truth is underscored throughout Scripture: we are not made righteous by what we do, but by the degree to which we place our faith in God. We cannot earn it. We cannot buy it. We can only receive it—by faith.

The Example of Abraham

Scripture points us to Abraham as the model of this kind of faith. Genesis 15:6 (CSB) says, “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”

What specifically did Abraham do? “He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what God had promised, he was also able to do. Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness.” (Romans 4:20-22, CSB) Abraham didn’t earn righteousness through works. He received it by believing God—trusting in His promise, character, and power.

And this gift of righteousness through faith wasn’t just for Abraham. Romans 4 goes on to say that the fact that faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness “was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” (Romans 4:23-24 CSB). Friends, this same righteousness is available to us—if we believe.

So, what are we to do? The writer of Hebrews says, “Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.” (Hebrews 10:23, CSB)

Final Thoughts: Put Your Best Faith Forward

Putting your best faith forward doesn’t mean doing more to be accepted by God. It means anchoring your faith in Jesus and His perfect sacrifice. Like Abraham, be fully convinced that God is who He says He is and that He can and will do what He has promised. Then, like Abraham, do not waver in your faith, but trust that He, who gave us these rich promises recorded in Scripture, is faithful. And God — the One who gives righteousness freely to all who believe – will credit your faith to you as righteousness and remember your sins no more.

 So, put your best faith forward, for righteousness!

1“Righteous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/righteous. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Reflection Questions:

• Am I trusting in my own goodness or resting in Christ’s righteousness?

• What steps can I take this week to grow in faith through prayer, worship, and Scripture?

• How do I respond when I stumble—do I run from Jesus, or back to Him?