For in it [the gospel] God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith (Romans 1:16-18)
God's righteousness is revealed from faith. The gospel exists God's power to the extent of salvation to all the ones believing (Romans 1:17). Can we boast in our salvation? What did we do to bring it about? What did we do to become righteous? And how do we live a righteous life?
do not labor for food that perishes rather for the food that endures unto eternal life, whom the Son of Man gives you... therefore they said to him what do we do so to perform the work of God? Jesus answered them, this is the work of God so that believing in whom he has sent. (John 6:27-29).
Believing is the work of God, it requires faith but believing and faith is not something we have the power to do or work to perform on our own, it comes from God. In Hebrews we read we set our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter or maturer of our faith. Faith is authored in us when we believe. This work of God in believing and authoring of faith comes with a gift, righteousness, that is received. Faith comes by hearing and reading the word of God, the word of truth, Jesus. Faith can not be produced on its own, but through the Spirit and truth, therefore it is given.
Our salvation is according to grace. The gospel is a gospel of grace (which is foolishness to those perishing) whereby God's wisdom and salvation through belief is brought about through God's power. Therefore
the scripture rings true, "for of grace existing saved through faith and
this is not from yourself, of God's gift, not from works so that no one can boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). There are gifts that come through believing, the gift of righteousness and eternal life.
also for if the many died of the transgression of the one, much more above and beyond the grace of God and the gift in grace of the one man Jesus Christ overflow to many. For the judgement from one led to condemnation, now, the free gift from many transgression led to justification. For if the transgression of the one that death reigned through the one, much more reigns the one receiving the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:15-17)
Righteousness is a gift we received through believing. Believing is the work of God. To believe one must hear the gospel (Romans 1:13). They must hear the gospel, and God must draw the person to Jesus, thus God must grant them to believe. It is the Spirit and truth working together that brings about belief. Jesus said his words are Spirit and Truth. No one can come to him unless the Father grants it (John 6:39-40; John 6:44; John 6:54-56; John 6:63-65; John 6:66-69). Therefore the power of the gospel is that God works through the Spirit and Truth to the extent it brings about believing and salvation. We see also precious promises for those who come to him; he will turn none away, and he will not loose any that the Father gives him (John 6:37-39). Grace reigns through righteousness. How so?
From faith or by faith do the righteous live? Look closely "the righteous from faith lives." Does it matter, by or from? Only that we understand what I believe is one of most important doctrines. It is called "imputed" righteousness, which means we credit or ascribe our righteousness to the one man's obedience Jesus Christ. It is a gift of God lest we boast in our work to obtain it. The basis of this simple understanding has many implications. Like understanding how "grace reigns through righteousness" and how "the Spirit is life through righteousness." We would not be reconciled to God and therefore not be able to approach him because of his holiness (without some sacrifice or offering to appease God for our sin) if not that we have received righteousness.
Justification is defined as "to judge, regard, or treat as righteous and worthy of salvation."*
We are justified by grace through redemption (redemption being the forgiveness of debt or sin), by his blood, received through faith (Romans 3:24; Romans 5:9; Romans 5:1). Being saved "by grace through faith" means we have been justified by his blood, redeemed forgiven our sin. It means we have received grace and the gift of righteousness and eternal life. And we know this salvation is a gift of God, not of our own working lest we boast. Thus as righteousness is received as a gift "by grace through faith" also maturity in Christ comes the same way, much having to do with our understanding of who we are in Christ; the righteous. The righteous have faith thus they live from faith, from something they already possess, not in attempts to do works to obtain it. If we earned it, it would be like a wage, and we could boast.
Just as we are saved by grace through faith, our maturity in Christ will come the same way. Much more those receiving abundant grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life through Jesus Christ. If we are justified much more will we be saved from wrath through his life. We will not rule or reign over sin under the law but under grace (Romans 6:14). Therefore the basis of whether we rule over sin or not hinges on our understanding of how grace reigns through righteousness. How we understand righteousness.
It can be said it rests in who we are in Christ or knowing our identity in Christ. For example we might reason that giving in to temptation is ok because God's grace will abound (and it will,) but do we not understand in Christ we have been crucified, we have died with him, and the one dying in the flesh also dies to sin. Do we not understand we are a new creation in Christ, we have a new nature given the gift of righteousness, and therefore we are indebted to live according to righteousness. Are we rooted and built up and established in faith? Are we rooted and founded in love? If not the parable of sowing says we will fall away.
exists no fear in agape love rather perfect love drives away fear because fear has to do with punishment. Now, the one fearing has not been perfected [matured] in love (1 John 4:18)
The battle of the mind will not be won through fear of punishment or condemnation. The Mosaic Law had fear of punishment but it did not mature anyone as the carnal man (sinful nature of man) can not submit to the laws of God. We are matured in love, it is why Paul prays in Ephesians 3 we would lay hold of this inexpressible type of love. God's love is matured in us when we rule over sin. Again, we recall Paul's words, we will not rule over sin under the law, but under grace. The reason God's grace is sufficient is that we rely on his power in maturing us in our weakness. This is the power of the gospel unto salvation, and it is how we mature. Grace reigning through righteousness is like saying we fight from victory. Christ has already been victorious, now, we must walk in victory. Christ has already given us righteousness now we grow to bear fruit of that righteousness.
as a result, at the present no condemnation to the ones in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the Law was not powerful to do, weak through the flesh, God sending that his own in the likeness of sinful flesh also concerning sin, condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:1-6).
There is no condemnation in Christ as you have received the gift of righteousness. No unrighteousness will inherit the kingdom of God, but you have received the gift of righteousness. The wrath of God will be poured out against all unrighteousness, but you have been made righteous in Christ escaping wrath Romans 1:16-18). No good thing exists in the flesh, the body, in it the law of sin and death dwells, Romans 7:23, just look at your dying body, judged and condemned by the law of sin and death, but you have been freed from this law through of another law the Spirit of life, which is life through righteousness, Romans 8;10. Freed from condemnation.
God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith. We are given a measure of faith and if we have, more will be given, it will increase. God is working is us for our good and is faithful to do what he has promised. The fruit of righteousness will come as our faith increases, as we grow in grace and knowledge of Jesus. This might seem impossible, but God is powerful to do more than we can ask or imagine. You might not imagine getting past depression, addiction... but God is powerful, beyond what we can imagine.
How important is it that we understand our righteousness in Christ, as grace reigns through righteousness, that there is no condemnation, and the Spirit is life through righteousness. Now, that you are righteous, from faith live. This is how the righteous live, from faith.