“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

I read this verse today and it’s stayed with me. It’s loaded. 

First there’s the magnitude of the gesture itself – Jesus was blameless, innocent. Yet He took the blame for every sinful thing we would ever do, personified it even, so we could have salvation.

Then it goes a step further. Not only did Jesus take on our sin, but it says that we can take on His righteousness. Not just tap into it, either. It says we can BECOME that righteousness. With that one gesture by Jesus, we have the ability to overcome temptation and sin, to desire what God desires and detest what He detests. It is literally freedom from sin. 

There’s a caveat though. This righteousness isn’t automatic. Like our salvation, the righteousness of God is there for the taking, but it is found in Jesus Christ alone. In Him, our sin is removed. In Him, we can become the righteous of God. 

And just like that, with one verse, we are given total freedom and complete dependence all in one. Some might see this as being controlling. I see it as being perfect for us – it tells us that righteousness is indeed attainable. No more excuses. But, we all know how much things go awry when we try to do them ourselves. By going through Jesus, we get built-in help, guidance for our everyday lives. Who but God could design that way? 

And so today I stand once again in awe and gratitude of my Savior. May we all strive to be in Him always, to truly become the righteousness He bestowed within us. 

God bless!

~Rebekah A