I said in the last section that there are two types of righteousness. There is self righteousness or righteousness by works, and there is God’s righteousness or righteousness by faith.
Look at the scriptures from Romans 9 and 10 to clarify this………
Rom 9:30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Rom 9:31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Rom 9:32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Rom 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Rom 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Rom 10:2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Can you see that there are 2 types righteousness being described here? Or rather that there are two ways of trying to achieving righteousness.
Romans 10 v 30 talks of righteousness by faith and v 31-32 talks of righteousness by works or by the law.
These two forms of righteousness are also described in Romans 10 v 3; God’s righteousness (by faith) and self righteousness (by works).
Self righteousness is trying to achieve righteousness by works and by the law, and God’s righteousness is righteousness by faith.
This passage of scripture is saying that there are two views of righteousness, and two ways of how to become righteous.
So is it important which one I live by?
As long as I am in fact righteous what’s difference?
In the next couple of sections we will look at why this is so important…………
Heilan Word Ministries 