soul journey 
Introduction: A Righteousness Not Our Own
Many of us strive to live “good” lives—doing the right things, avoiding the wrong ones, trying to stay in God’s favor. While the desire to live rightly is honorable, we must never forget this central truth: we are not saved by our righteousness, but by God’s.
No amount of effort, good deeds, or moral behavior can earn us eternal life. It is only by the mercy and righteousness of God, fully revealed in Christ, that we are saved.
“To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord…”
— Jude vv. 24–25
Let’s take a deeper look at how we grow in this understanding and truly rest in the righteousness that comes from God alone.
1. Recognizing the Limits of Our Own Righteousness
One of the first steps is to humbly acknowledge the truth: our righteousness, no matter how sincere, is flawed.
Isaiah 64:6 tells us, “All our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” This isn’t meant to shame us, but to wake us up. When we try to earn salvation through personal goodness, we miss the point of grace entirely.
Salvation isn’t a reward for the righteous. It’s a gift for the undeserving.
2. Embracing the Righteousness of Christ
When Jesus died and rose again, He didn’t just forgive our sins—He exchanged our brokenness for His perfection. When we trust in Him, we are clothed in His righteousness. That means when God sees us, He sees us through Jesus.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”
— 1 Peter 1:3-4
This “living hope” is not built on what we do, but on what Christ has already done.
3. Growing in the Knowledge of Grace
We don’t earn salvation—but we are called to grow in our understanding of it. This growth transforms how we live and love.
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever!”
— 2 Peter 3:18
The more we understand God’s grace, the less we strive to impress Him—and the more we rest in His love. Spiritual growth is not about achieving holiness on our own, but about becoming more aware of how fully His holiness covers us.
4. Letting Go of Shame and Performance
Believing that only God’s righteousness saves you means releasing shame from your past and pressure for your future. You don’t have to prove yourself to be accepted by God. You already are—because of Jesus.
When you fall short (and we all do), you can come boldly to God not because you’re perfect, but because Jesus is.
5. Living from Gratitude, Not Guilt
Once we truly grasp this truth, our lives begin to change—not out of fear, but out of love and gratitude. Holiness becomes a response to grace, not a prerequisite for it. We serve, forgive, and walk humbly—not to be saved, but because we are.
Final Thought: Let the Righteousness of Christ Be Your Anchor
At the end of the day, your hope doesn’t rest on how strong your faith is, how well you performed, or how much you avoided sin. Your hope is anchored in Jesus—the one who is able to keep you, to sustain you, and to present you blameless in the presence of God.
Let His righteousness be your peace. Let His mercy be your motivation. And let His grace be your story.
“To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.”
— 2 Peter 3:18
