Francis Bourdillon, 1873

Wonderful words! May I use them? May I say this? Will it not be presumption in one like me — so unworthy and sinful? No, there is no presumption in doing what God says we may do. Every believer in Christ may say of Him, "The Lord our righteousness," for this is one of the names given to Christ in the Bible: "This is His name by which He shall be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jeremiah 23:6).

Reader, do you believe with the heart on the Lord Jesus Christ? Then take to yourself all the comfort of this name of His. He is your righteousness. You are joined to Him, as a branch to the vine ("I am the vine, you are the branches" John 15:5); not for any goodness of yours, but simply through your faith in Him. And because you are thus joined to Him, He is your righteousness: Christ is righteousness to every believer for He "became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30).

But what does this mean, that Christ is our righteousness? Just this: that the union between Christ and believers is so complete, that His righteousness is accounted theirs — imputed to them, or set to their account. They are not righteous in themselves, far from it; they are still sinful, weak, and imperfect. But being in Christ, they are no longer looked on by God as what they are in themselves — but as what they are in Him. Thus He is their righteousness.

This doctrine is not received by all. To some it seems "foolishness," "a hard saying," a doctrine which is unmeaning, confused, and impossible. But to him who really feels his need — it is full of comfort, for it gives him what he needs. Would anything short of this meet his case? If he was only almost holy — could he stand before God in judgment? Would not the least remnant of sin, be enough to drive him from the presence of Him who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity? But when a perfect righteousness is imputed or reckoned to him — then and only then he can appear before God with acceptance.

Now this is a perfect righteousness, for "the Lord" is our righteousness, the Lord Jesus Christ, Jehovah Himself. What an answer is this to the evil spirit, the accuser, when he sets our sins in array against us and tries to frighten us from our faith! What an answer will this be in that great day when he will hurl his last dart at us and accuse us for the last time before the Judge of the living and dead! What an answer has God Himself put into our mouth: "The Lord our righteousness!" 

Our righteousness. Mark how that little word enables us to lay hold of this righteousness as our own personally. It is not said merely in a general way, "The Lord, the righteousness of those who believe," but specially and personally, "The Lord our righteousness," thus setting us a pattern of the way in which we ourselves as believers in Jesus are to feel and speak. Yes, this is not a mere dry point of doctrine, an article of sound theology — but a part of spiritual, personal, experimental religion. The Holy Spirit here authorizes every believer to make these words his own: "The Lord our righteousness." 

The Lord — then this righteousness is complete; our — then it belongs to us. Blessed truth! How full, how clear, how encouraging! Wonderful effect of faith — more wonderful than the removal of mountains — that by simply looking to Jesus, the sinner should be accounted righteous!

Believer, let not weakness of faith or slowness of heart rob you of this comfort. The peace of your soul rests on that great substitution which has been made, a double substitution: Christ standing in your place — and you standing in His. "He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us — that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). He stood between you and the wrath of God, bore your burden, endured your stripes, paid your debt; and (wonderful to say!) He puts you, as it were, into His place instead of your own. Therefore, though sinful, you are looked upon as holy — yes, perfectly holy, without a spot of guilt, because clad in the robe of Christ's righteousness.

Open your heart to take in fully so blessed a truth. Rather may the Holy Spirit open your heart to receive it. You do believe that with His stripes you were healed — believe also that a spotless robe is now put on you, and that you stand complete in Christ. Oh, how happy this will make you, and how active in serving God! Happy, for you will walk in the light of God's countenance; active, for you will feel a spring of motive within, constraining you to the service, the loving service, of Him who stood in your stead and has become the Lord your righteousness.

But this happiness belongs only to believers. There must be the binding link of faith between Christ and the soul. If this is lacking — then there is no union with Christ, and so no righteousness imputed. There may be everything else: a clear knowledge, a high profession, and every outward part of religion; but if there is no faith, no living faith in Jesus, no looking to Him, no resting of the heart on Him — then all is vain; the Lord is not the righteousness of anyone in such a state. And how can you stand before God, unless the Lord Jesus Christ is your righteousness?

Even now, if you could see God as He is, and see yourself also as you are — you would tremble to think of His eye being always upon you, seeing all you that do and think. But ah! What will you do and how will you feel — on that great day when you must stand before the Judge and see Him face to face? When the books are opened; when numbers will be saying "to the mountains and rocks: Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!" (Revelation 6:16) — how will you be able to stand in that great day of His wrath, unless the Lord is your righteousness?

No righteousness but His will serve you then; no name but His will avail you. Will you run the risk of finding yourself without "a wedding garment" (Matthew 22:11)? For lack of this, shall those fearful words be said of you, "Bind him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!" (Matthew 22:13)? Be wise in time. Think of that day, before it comes. Consider what you will think and wish and need then. Seek now and at once, to have the Lord Jesus Christ for your righteousness. Seek a personal interest in Him, a living union with Him through faith. Be content with no outward religion, but seek to be a branch of the true vine. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Then you need fear nothing — for having Christ, you will have all.