06/13/2026
This is ALL My Righteousness
Deuteronomy 6:20-25 NIV
In the future, when your son asks you, “What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?” [21] tell him: “We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. [22] Before our eyes the LORD sent signs and wonders—great and terrible—on Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. [23] But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land he promised on oath to our ancestors. [24] The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. [25] And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness.”
Under the old covenant, righteousness was merited to Israel through obedience to the commands of God.
if you obey my commands, that will be our righteousness.
If you do not
Deuteronomy 6:13-15 NIV
Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. [14] Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; [15] for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land.
Yahweh's jealous anger will burn against you and you will be destroyed from the face of the land.
Now "gift based righteousness" predated law based righteousness in Abraham
Genesis 15:6 NIV
Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.
This was the "gospel" announced before the gospel arrived in Christ!
Romans 4:1-3,9-10,13-17,20,22-24 NIV
What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? [2] If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. [3] What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”
[9] Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. [10] Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! [13] It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith.
[14] For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, [15] because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression. [16] Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. [17] As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
[20] Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, [22] This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” [23] The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, [24] but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
However, Israel didn't LIVE with this kind of "faith of Abraham".
When the law came, it was added because of transgression.
Galatians 3:17-19,21-22 NIV
What I mean is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. [18] For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. [19] Why, then, was the law given at all? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was given through angels and entrusted to a mediator.
[21] Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. [22] But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.
God gave the LAW - after - he delieverd them from Egypt and purchased the people from slavery to Pharaoh.
it spelled out the terms of the covenant they were rescued to enter in to with Yahweh.
Deuteronomy 5:1,3-6 NIV
Moses summoned all Israel and said: Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them. [3] It was not with our ancestors that the LORD made this covenant, but with us, with all of us who are alive here today. [4] The LORD spoke to you face to face out of the fire on the mountain. [5] (At that time I stood between the LORD and you to declare to you the word of the LORD, because you were afraid of the fire and did not go up the mountain.) And he said: [6] “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
The Decalogue was ESTABLISHED on the BASIS of:
Yahweh who BROUGHT you out of EGYPT...out of the land of slavery...
This is everything.
Exodus 19:5-6 NIV
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, [6] you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
They were to be a priestly and peculiar people.
Sanctified and set apart FOR GOD and his purposes FOR HIS PURPOSES in the nations.
Yahweh had done the HEAVY LIFTING, now his people were to respond with righteous living...
To be sure, they were "infants" in regard to righteousness...
THE LAW was like a
Galatians 3:23-25 NIV
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. [24] So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. [25] Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.
Guardian...trying to keep the chaos monster of SIN, outside of the door of the people of God.
The Law was UNPRECEDENTED in the ANE!
Deuteronomy 4:5-9 NIV
See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. [6] Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” [7] What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
[8] And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? [9] Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.
The Law and its decrees, stipulations and commands, was a SPECTACLE in the sight of the nations!
What other nation is SO GREAT to have such RIGHTEOUS DECREES and body of laws as I am setting before you today.
This was a GIFT to Israel...if obeyed, it was to be the means through which Israel would SHINE in the midst of the nations!
Romans 7:12-13 NIV
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. [13] Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
But what is it, that Yahweh has always wanted from his people?
Hebrews 3:7-10 NIV
So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, [8] do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, [9] where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. [10] That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’
Loyal hearts and lives...their hearts were ALWAYS GOING ASTRAY...
We come to Jesus and he says:
Matthew 5:20 NIV
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
There is a specific "kind of righteousness" I am looking for from my people.
it is GREATER than mere rule keeping.
Matthew 6:1 NIV
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
There righteous deeds had become a PERFORMANCE for people...
Matthew 6:5 NIV
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
Even their praying had become a PERFORMANCE...void of true intimate knowledge of God as Father.
Matthew 15:8-9 NIV
“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. [9] They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
I want the hearts of my people.
Matthew 15:18-20 NIV
But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. [20] These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
This is what the LAW and OLD COVENANT could never reach...
Jeremiah 31:31-34 NIV
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. [32] It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. [33] “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. [34] No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
The OLD COVENANT was Yahweh taking Israel by "the HAND" and leading them out of slavery into the promised land.
The NEW COVENANT would be Yahweh taking humanity BY THE HEART!
This was BAKED IN throughout the Torah!
Deuteronomy 10:14-16 NIV
To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. [15] Yet the LORD set his affection on your ancestors and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations—as it is today. [16] Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer.
The CIRCUMCISION of the HEART of his people.
Deuteronomy 30:6 NIV
The LORD your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live.
This heart transformation was always the telos.
But a SON OF ADAM was needed to usher in this new arrangement.
Romans 5:12 NIV
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
Sin entered the world through ONE MAN and death through sin...
Romans 5:14 NIV
Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
Adam served as a patttern of the ONE TO COME...
Romans 5:15-17 NIV
But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! [16] Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. [17] For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
If MANY DIED by the sin of ONE MAN how much MORE did God's grace and gift oveflow to theMANY through ONE MAN, JESUS CHRIST!!!!
judgement + condemenation followed Adam's sin = death reigned
God's abundant provision of grace + Gift of righteouenss = life reigning through JESUS CHRIST
Romans 5:19-21 NIV
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. [20] The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, [21] so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
sin reigned in death
grace reigns through righteousness brought to us through JESUS CHRIST
2 Corinthians 5:21 NIV
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1 Peter 3:18 NIV
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God....
This is the GLORY of the GOOD NEWS of GIFT RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Total transformation from the inside out.
Philippians 3:4-6 NIV..If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; [6] as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Paul had all the performative boxes checked...
Yet, when he encountered what Jesus had on offer...
Everything changed!
Philippians 3:7-9 NIV
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Everything I used to lean on, look to and rely on is now garbage...total garbage compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Being FOUND IN HIM...this is everything - the TWO BECOME ONE - Christ has come to dwell IN and WITH his people and the righteousness necessary for this arrangement has now been made manifest!
This righteousness is through FAITH in CHRIST...on the basis of grace through faith in Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:7-10,16-18 NIV
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, [8] will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? [9] If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! [10] For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.
[16] But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
What had transitory glory (the law) now PALES in comparision with what the Spirit imparts to those who trust in Jesus!
It cannot even be COMPARED to the SURPASSING GLORY of gift righteousness through Christ.
The Spirit of Jesus brings a total freedom to the believer from the inside out.
Now we are free to:
Matthew 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
to seek to live fully under the rule and reign of Christ and actually embody and express the righteousness that gift righteousness has made possible!
The GIFT - now GROWS and EXPRESSES itself in righteous living.
Living out the ethical and moral vision of the kingdom of God exhibited in Christ our Lord.
