When you hear the word righteous, what comes to mind? If you’re like most believers, you might think about doing the right thing, living a good life, or following God’s commandments. And you wouldn’t be wrong—but righteousness goes deeper than just moral behavior. For a Christian, righteousness isn’t something you earn. It’s something you receive, live out, and grow into.
Righteousness Starts With God, Not You
Righteousness isn’t about how good you are—it’s about your standing before God. Scripture makes it clear:
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” — Romans 3:10 (KJV)
That truth humbles you right out of the gate. No matter how hard you try, you can’t reach God’s standard of holiness on your own. But here’s the good news: Jesus did.
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (KJV)
That verse flips everything. You’re not righteous because of your actions—you’re righteous because Jesus took your sin and gave you His perfection in return.
Justified by Faith, Not by Works
A righteous Christian is someone who’s been justified—declared innocent—through faith in Christ. That means you’re not trying to earn righteousness by being religious or doing good deeds. You’re trusting in Jesus’ finished work on the cross.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1 (KJV)
Faith is the gateway to righteousness. It’s how Abraham was counted righteous, long before the law even existed:
“And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.” — Genesis 15:6 (KJV)
When you believe like Abraham did—trusting God’s promise—you step into the same kind of righteousness. It’s a legal declaration from Heaven that you’re right with God.
Living Righteously Flows From Being Righteous
Once you’ve been made righteous through faith, your lifestyle should begin to reflect that new identity. You don’t live righteously to become righteous—you live righteously because you are righteous.
“Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.” — 1 John 3:7 (KJV)
That’s not a contradiction. It’s confirmation. Real righteousness is like a tree—it bears fruit. If your heart has been changed by Christ, your actions will follow suit. You’ll love what God loves and hate what He hates. Not out of fear, but out of gratitude.
Righteousness Brings Boldness and Peace
There’s something unshakable about walking in righteousness. You’re no longer a slave to guilt, shame, or fear of judgment. You’re free.
“The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.” — Proverbs 28:1 (KJV)
That boldness isn’t arrogance. It’s confidence in the One who justified you. Righteousness also brings peace—not just peace with God, but the peace of God in your daily life.
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.” — Isaiah 32:17 (KJV)
You can lay your head down at night knowing you’re right with God—not because of what you’ve done, but because of what He’s done in you.
Righteousness Is a Daily Pursuit
While your righteousness before God is settled in Christ, there’s still a call to pursue righteousness daily. That’s not about earning salvation—it’s about growing in grace and becoming more like Jesus.
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” — 1 Timothy 6:11 (KJV)
Following after righteousness means you’re choosing God’s way when the world offers something easier. It means you’re aligning your thoughts, words, and actions with His will—even when it’s hard.
Final Thoughts
To be righteous as a Christian means you’re standing clean before God—not because of your own goodness, but because of Christ’s sacrifice. It’s a gift you receive, a lifestyle you reflect, and a journey you pursue every day. When you grasp that, righteousness becomes more than a concept—it becomes the heartbeat of your faith.
Living out righteousness daily is building habits. In fact, it’s building habits that replace the habits of the “old man”. Starting your day, every day, with prayer is probably the starting point of living in constant communion with your creator.
I’ve found that the key is the starting. Starting is one tiny step that becomes a habit. Then that new habit allows the Holy Spirit to expand it to the next new habit that leads to an deeper place of righeousness with God. (And we are not speaking of a righteousness that you think you are displaying to people, but your own “standing with God” that grows and grows.)