“The Lord Our Righteousness.” – Jeremiah 23:6

Nothing gives a Christian deeper calm, rest, and peace than reflecting on the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often God’s people are discouraged and weighed down—and yet they need not be. I believe much of this sadness would vanish if we could continually see our completeness in Christ.

Some believers speak almost exclusively about corruption—the depravity of the heart and the deep-rooted evil of the soul. All this is true. But why stop there? Why not go further and remember that we are “perfect in Christ Jesus”? It is no surprise that those who dwell only on their own sinfulness appear gloomy; but surely, when we remember that “Christ is made unto us righteousness,” our hearts should be lifted with joy.

What if troubles press upon me? What if Satan assaults me? What if many trials still lie between me and heaven? All these have already been accounted for in the covenant of grace. Nothing is lacking in my Lord. Christ has done everything. From the cross He declared, “It is finished!” And if it is finished, then I am complete in Him.

Therefore, I can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, saying with confidence: “Not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness which is from God by faith.”

You will not find, on this side of heaven, a holier people than those who truly embrace the doctrine of Christ’s righteousness. When a believer says, “I live on Christ alone. I rest entirely on Him for salvation. Though I am unworthy, I am saved in Jesus,” then gratitude rises naturally in the heart. And gratitude asks, “Shall I not live for Christ? Shall I not love Him and serve Him, since I am saved by His merit alone?”

Indeed, “the love of Christ compels us,” so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again. And if we are saved by imputed righteousness, we will learn to treasure imparted righteousness as well.