The Lord Is Our Righteousness

It will always give a Christian the greatest calm, quiet, ease, and peace to think of the perfect righteousness of Christ. How often are the saints of God sad and downcast! I do not think they ought to be. And I do not think they would be if they could always see their perfection in Christ. There are some who are always talking about corruption and the depravity of the heart and the innate evil of the soul. This is all quite true—but why not go a little further, and remember that we are “perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28)? It is no wonder that those who dwell on their own corruption should wear such unhappy looks, but surely—if we call to mind that “Christ has made us right with God” (1 Corinthians 1:30)—we will be of good cheer. Though I suffer distress, though Satan assaults me, though there may be many difficult things to be experienced before I get to heaven, they are done for me in the covenant of divine grace. There is nothing lacking in my Lord—Christ has done everything I need! On the cross He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30); and if it is finished, I am complete in Him. I can rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, “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” (Philippians 3: 9). On this side heaven, you will not find holier people than those who receive into their hearts the doctrine of Christ’s righteousness. When the believer says, “I live on Christ alone; I rest only on Him for salvation; and I believe that, however unworthy, I am still saved in Jesus,” this thought rises up as a motive of gratitude: “Shall I not live to Christ? Shall I not love Him and serve Him, seeing that I am saved by His merits?” “The love of Christ controls us . . . that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised” (2 Corinthians 5: 14–15), If we are saved by imputed righteousness, we will greatly value imparted righteousness.” —Charles Haddon Spurgeon

In the midst of depression, addiction, and the weight of past wounds, it can be easy to focus only on what’s broken within us. But the gospel invites us to lift our eyes—not to deny our struggles, but to see a greater truth: we are complete in Christ. Yes, our hearts carry pain, weakness, and even corruption—but that’s not the end of the story. Jesus has wrapped us in His perfect righteousness, and in Him, we are made right with God. This truth isn’t just theological—it’s deeply personal. It brings rest to anxious hearts and peace to shame-filled souls. When we remember that Christ has done everything necessary for our salvation and that He finished the work on the cross, we can breathe again. We can live again. Let this truth quiet the noise of self-doubt and despair: you are fully loved, fully accepted, and fully secure in Jesus. He is enough. And in Him, so are you. —DH