Opposites Don't Attract

There are two kinds of righteousness that are spoken of in the Bible.  Both of these forms of righteousness belong to God.  They are as far as east is from west, for us.

Righteousness that comes from the law is true and just.  We try to make that righteousness our own by controlling our behavior.  When we think we are successful at gaining this righteousness, we become prideful.    We neglect to notice that we have not controlled our sin.  Even Christians try to make themselves acceptable to God by being "good".  We can feed all the homeless in our town, we can give away all our money; but there are homeless in the county, and there is always more money needed somewhere (so, get back to work and earn more!). We try to do God a solid, so He will do us a solid.  We want God to be indebted to us.  Ridiculous, isn't it?  This form of righteousness that comes from the law of God belongs to God alone; we cannot earn it no matter how hard we try.

There is another form of righteousness that belongs to believers in Jesus.  It is pure gift and unmerited.  There is nothing we can do to earn this righteousness.  NO-THING.  How is this form of God's righteousness obtained?  By hearing someone proclaim to us the news.  That's right, it comes from the mouth of another person, who is giving you this news.  What news?  That your sins are forgiven because of Jesus and His work on the cross.  Your old is dead, drowned, baptized; your new is here, believing, trusting, free in Christ's righteousness.

These are the two words that are contained in scripture:  Law and Gospel.  They are keys to unlocking and freeing your own bible reading.