The Transformative Righteousness of Christ

The righteousness of Christ credited by faith is transformative. It reckons us what we are not and cannot be in and of ourselves— perfectly righteous with the righteousness of Jesus. We are reckoned “just.” Then, like a good tree planted, it produces more and more fruit (Matthew 7:17), especially joy, and makes us evermore what we have been freely declared to be—righteous in Christ. Declared forgiven, we cannot but be forgiving. But let’s back up.

St. Paul says that this righteousness was obtained fully by Christ’s cross—“we have now been justified by his blood.” What has been achieved, obtained, and perfected by Christ outside of us, before us, and without us (two thousand years ago on a cross and via a resurrection), is delivered to us and reckoned to us in the word of the Gospel. Because it’s already accomplished, it can’t be achieved by doing anything. The deed is done. That’s why Jesus’ last words were, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The benefits of Christ’s death and resurrection are received, laid hold of, by faith. Faith simply lays hold of the gift, and even the faith, which receives the gift, is itself all gift. So St. Paul wrote, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Reconciliation occurred in Christ’s death—“God was in Christ reconciling the world until himself ” (2 Corinthians 5:19)—and this same reconciliation is “received” here and now. And it’s powerful. In fact, it is the most powerful force for joy in the world.

This central teaching of the Bible is a profound mystery and a profound key to a joyous life. “He who knew no sin became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God ” (2 Corinthians 5:19). Think of it. The Bible calls Christ “sin.” God in the flesh is called “sin.” And just as amazing, by virtue of Christ, we are called “the righteousness of God.” When God looks at us, he sees only the perfect life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Every Christian may rejoice and glory in Christ’s birth as much as if he had himself been born of Mary as was Christ. How is it possible for man to hear of greater joy than that Christ has been given to him as his own? (Martin Luther, Church Postils, Lenker ed., 1:144, 149).

A Little Book on Joy, Matthew Harrison