Righteousness is the quality of being morally right or justifiable. In scripture, it is living in accordance with God's will. It is doing what is right. It is being in right relationship with God and others. It is not just external behavior. It is internal character. It is a matter of the heart.

Righteousness comes in two forms. Imputed righteousness is given by God through faith in Christ. It is not earned. It is a gift. Christ's righteousness is credited to the believer. Imparted righteousness is the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. It is growth in holiness. It is becoming more like Christ. Both are biblical. Both are necessary. The first is the foundation. The second is the fruit.

Righteousness in scripture

• Genesis 15:6: Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness.
• Psalm 23:3: he leads me in paths of righteousness.
• Matthew 5:6: blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.
• Romans 3:22: the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 5:21: he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Righteousness is not self-righteousness. It is not pride. It is not judging others. It is living rightly. It is loving God. It is loving neighbor. It is pursuing justice. It is showing mercy. It is walking humbly. Righteousness is active. It does not just avoid evil. It does good. It feeds the hungry. It clothes the naked. It visits the prisoner. It speaks for the voiceless. It is the life of faith. It is the fruit of the Spirit. It is the goal of the Christian life. We are not righteous on our own. We are made righteous in Christ. And we are being made righteous by the Spirit. That is the mystery. That is the gift. That is the call. Righteousness is the path. It is also the destination.