The Fulfillment of Righteousness
Jesus fulfilled every word God ever spoke about Himself. God is righteous (Psalm 11:7), and so was Jesus. In His life, Jesus revealed not only what righteousness looked like in action, but also what it felt like when rooted in the heart. He didn’t just follow God’s commands—He embodied them.
Jesus calls us to live righteously, just as He did (Matthew 5:20; 1 John 2:6). If righteousness is treating others as you would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12), then many in the Old Testament attempted it through actions, but their hearts remained distant (Isaiah 29:13). Jesus came to expose that disconnect and to fulfill the law, not just in word, but in spirit (Matthew 5:17–18).
He taught that the commandment not to murder extended far beyond the physical act. Even harboring anger or contempt in your heart—calling your brother a fool—was a violation of righteousness (Matthew 5:21–22). Why? Because righteousness is not merely about external obedience, but internal love. This love is the very heart of God’s law (Romans 13:10), and it is what Jesus perfectly fulfilled.
Jesus didn’t just teach righteousness—He was righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30). He came to forgive the sins that live deep in our hearts—sins committed by us, against us, or simply around us that shaped how we view love, trust, and justice. His life was a revelation of the true meaning behind God’s commands: to love God fully, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30–31).
This is why Jesus tells us to follow Him—to live as He lived (Luke 9:23; John 13:15). The humility of God taking on flesh (Philippians 2:6–8), not to condemn us, but to die for us, is the ultimate example of love. It shows that true righteousness sacrifices for others, not to gain reward, but because love demands nothing less.
If we are to live this way, then our lives must reflect the same pattern: to become an example for others. To love others so deeply that, if required, we would lay down our lives for them (John 15:13). That’s not just Christlike—it’s righteous. Imagine a world where everyone loved one another so purely that death itself would not be too high a price. That is the love of God—selfless, sacrificial, and sincere (1 John 4:7–12).
God is a good Father who gave His people laws to protect and guide them, so they could live well and never forget Him (Deuteronomy 6:1–9). But when they forgot His ways, and began mistreating even their own brothers and sisters, He withdrew His blessings for a time—not out of spite, but to remind them that their identity wasn’t about status, but about love. They were chosen not to elevate themselves, but to demonstrate how the world should live—with mercy, justice, and humility (Micah 6:8).
At just the right time, God sent His Son (Galatians 4:4–5). When the world was once again growing unified—through language, culture, and empire—He offered a new kind of covenant. Not one of blood sacrifices, but of love and forgiveness. No longer would humanity need to climb a tower to reach heaven; heaven came down to us (John 1:14).
The whole story of history shows us one truth: the human heart drifts toward selfish desire instead of righteousness. People forsake God’s ways and treat others unjustly. Because of that, God cannot treat humanity as holy unless there is a way to make them holy again (Romans 3:23–24). That’s why Jesus came—to live out perfect righteousness on our behalf.
Jesus never sinned, not because temptation wasn’t real, but because He chose righteousness in every moment (Hebrews 4:15). He now calls us to live that way—not in perfection, but in pursuit. When we fall, we must not cover it up, but confess it (1 John 1:9). His forgiveness is already prepared for those who walk humbly with Him.
But if you hide your sin, hold onto your pride, or justify unrighteousness, then you are resisting the very Spirit that came to free you (Hebrews 10:26). To live righteously is to live openly, honestly, and humbly—moment by moment, choosing love over pride, service over selfishness, and mercy over judgment.
Living this way will stir the hearts of others. Some will be moved toward healing. Others—those with hardened hearts—may grow angry or dismissive. Why? Because deep down, they wanted that kind of love too. Maybe it didn’t come when they needed it. Maybe they never received it at all. Don’t become hard-hearted in return. Remember how you once longed for love and understanding when others failed you. See their pain. Love them still.
Do not mock their anger. Treat their hurt with the same grace you would want for your own. That is the righteousness of Christ. That is the way of the Kingdom. And that is the road to righteousness.
