“But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction.”
—Romans 3:21–22

Of all the truths in Scripture, this is one of the most fundamental: your righteousness before God is apart from the works of the law. This is because the righteousness we enter into when we accept Yeshua as Savior is not based on our perfect obedience to the law, as in the Mosaic covenant, but rather on the righteousness of Jesus.

When Paul says the righteousness of God has been revealed from heaven apart from the works of the law, he means that God has shown His righteousness by keeping the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to send a Redeemer. You see, God told Abraham that through his seed, all the nations of the earth would be blessed (Gen. 22:18). This blessing comes through Yeshua Messiah, who becomes the righteousness of all who believe.

So, beloved, don’t confuse your faith in Jesus with your works. We live holy lives because we love Him and want to walk blameless before Him, not because we are trying to earn His love or favor. God loves you unconditionally, and your righteousness is based solely on the righteousness of Messiah Yeshua, not on your works. So take confidence in the fact that because you are in Yeshua, you are God’s righteousness.

Lord Jesus, it is because of Your righteousness that I am saved. I couldn’t have been good enough to ever earn Your love. Thank You for giving Your love freely and dying on the cross so I could spend eternity with You. Help me to love You with my life by walking in obedience and living in the light of Your truth.

Rabbi Kirt A. Schneider, Rivers of Revelation (Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2020), Used by permission.