Being made the righteousness of God in Christ does not mean that you have an unconditional position of a righteous standing before God.

It means that God declares you righteous, through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus. When this happens, you embrace the call to live godly.

While many are teaching this “unconditional position of a righteous” and decrying the importance of good works, the Bible says otherwise. Notice the following from Ephesians 2:

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ~ Ephesians 2:10

Paul could have just as easily said, “we are his workmanship created righteous in Christ Jesus for the purpose of good works.”

God makes us righteous through Christ because God wants “good works” or a lifestyle of godly character, holiness, purity, in our lives: that’s what it means to be made righteous in Christ!

The prophet Micah said, He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? ~ Micah 6:8

If you claim to be righteous in Christ, please understand that you are created in Christ to have good works which God has ordained that you should walk in.

In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus said, Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16

In Christ we are created for good works! And our good works bring glory to the Father.

The “go-to” text of those who teach the “unconditional position of a righteous” is 2 Corinthians 5:21, 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.

Yet in the very next chapter, Paul says the following:

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. ~ 2 Corinthians 6:14-18

Then in verse one of chapter 7, Paul says:

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. ~ 2 Corinthians 7:1

Finally consider the words of the apostle John:

Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. ~ 1 John 3:7

Again, being made righteous in Christ means that you are righteous through the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus.

If this has happened in your life, there is a conviction from the Holy Spirit and a desire in your heart to live holy, godly, and righteously.

If there is no conviction unto holy, godly, and righteous living, something is wrong!