Prevailing in Righteousness

Romans 5:17, “For if by one man’s offence death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

The Old Testament concept of righteousness is based on each individual's act of obedience towards God's laws. In other words, each man's righteousness is measured by what he does! However, in the New Testament we see the difference between producing or performing righteous acts, and being wholly and completely righteous. Here we will notice that the word “righteous” does not focus on man, but on God, and specifically on God's divine nature.

The Greek word “dikeosini” means, “the character or quality of being right or just.” Another definition that is in line with the New Testament concept of righteousness is, “…that which is totally compatible with God's divine nature.” Jesus was an impeccable example of this. Hebrews 1:3 declares that He is “the flawless manifestation of God’s substance” – a perfect and flawless display of God’s intrinsic nature! For this reason, true righteousness must be measured against God Himself.

Many of you need to be more righteousness conscious and less sin conscious. You should be fully aware of your privileges because of the position you now hold. Your righteousness allows you access to the throne of God at any time. You can tap in to God's divine wisdom, power and ability, and this in turn, makes you master over all circumstances. When you fully comprehend the power and authority of your righteousness, you become ruler over every demonic force. All the things that once held you captive now bow their knee to you (in the name of Jesus). When you become a slave to righteousness it places you in the superhuman realm. The realm where Jesus himself operated.

Our opening scripture, Romans 5:17, declares that those who have received the gift of righteousness “will reign in life through Jesus Christ.” The Greek word ‘basilevo’ (translated “reign”) is an interesting one, as it literally means “those that reign” and is often translated “kings.” Therefore, whoever has received the gift of righteousness shall reign as a ‘king’ in this life!” This gives you the ability to stand in the presence of your Heavenly Father without a sense of guilt, inferiority or condemnation. It also gives you the ability to stand in the presence of satan as his master. It was His righteousness that made Jesus absolute master of every situation! Sin turns men into slaves, because they become guilt ridden – living under the burden of condemnation. However, righteousness turns men into masters and kings.

The Word of God tells us “…the just (the righteous) shall live by faith!” When faith is exercised it brings you into vital union with the nature of God Himself, and inevitably this produces righteousness with authority. If God imparted or transferred righteousness without faith no one could function in His perfect likeness. Faith is given with a view to every believer exercising it, in order to produce righteous fruits. And remember, you cannot use true faith to satisfy your own selfish desires. Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and then, all these things will be added.”

Put your faith into extending God’s Kingdom and manifesting His righteousness and your ruling authority (as a king) in this life will increase. Only after you have fully appreciated the potency of your righteousness, and then exercised your faith accordingly (so that you can produce righteous fruits), will you experience super-natural power. And keep reminding yourself that righteousness is not attained by good works. It is something that was imparted into your spirit man when you came to Christ.

Yes, it is that special thing in you and I that is totally compatible, and which is perfectly conformed, to the life and nature of God Himself. It is the perfect and flawless manifestation of God’s substance! However, it takes faith to release it, and subsequently, to allow His ruling authority and power to work in your life.

2 Corinthians 6:7, “In the Holy Spirit and in sincere love, in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left.” Someone once said, “When a man is clothed in practical righteousness, he is invincible.”

You too should be armed with righteousness every second of the day! And, you should hold it out like a sceptre, boldly declaring your ruling authority over all those demonic forces that confront you. Antagonising them with it! In Hebrews 1 verse 8 (talking about the Lord Jesus), it says, “Your throne will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the sceptre of your kingdom.”

A sceptre represents the authority of a king; hence, the authority of the Kingdom of God is housed (wrapped) in righteousness. This is the very thing that caused Jesus to triumph, and it's this divine quality that every believer should constantly hold up in order to establish and then enforce the victory. After all, you are “the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.” You are fully clothed in His righteousness! This has caused you to become “more than a conqueror” – “an overcomer in this life” – to rule and reign as a king!