How does the gospel reveal the righteousness of God?
Orientation
The gospel is God's answer to the accusation that He cannot be both just and merciful in saving sinners.
- God's justice is questioned when He justifies the ungodly.
- The gospel is not a sentimental invitation but a public unveiling of God's righteousness.
- It establishes that God has not overlooked sin nor abandoned His promises.
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26)
— Romans 3:26
Clarification
Christ's redemption is not a partial offer but a finished work that righteously satisfies all the law's demands.
- Christ condemned sin in His flesh and paid sin's debt in full.
- He purchased the entire field to obtain His treasure, atoning for the sins of the whole world.
- This is not a compromise of God's holiness but its perfect demonstration.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)
— Colossians 2:13-14
Structure
The gospel reveals God's righteousness by presenting Christ as the exact image of God and demonstrating His redemptive work.
- Christ's person reveals who God is.
- Christ's work satisfies divine justice and reconciles sinners.
- This unveiling silences all accusations against God's justice.
Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3)
— Hebrews 1:3
Weight-Bearing Prose
The gospel is the revelation of God’s righteousness. This righteousness is not an abstract attribute but is manifested in the person and work of Christ. He is the exact image of the invisible God. His redemptive work—His death and resurrection—satisfies all the demands of the law, condemning sin in His flesh and paying its debt in full. This is how God is both just and the justifier: He righteously purchased redemption, atoning for the sins of the whole world. Therefore, Christ alone has the authority to execute judgment and to grant life to all who come to Him. Any doctrine that makes justification incomplete, arbitrary, or dependent on human performance undermines this finished work, collapsing assurance and making inheritance conditional. The Pauline category is clear: we are justified by faith in Christ alone, apart from works of the law (Romans 3:28).
Integration
Your assurance rests on the solid ground of God’s justice, demonstrated in Christ. The accusations are silenced by His blood. You are not merely forgiven; you are reconciled, justified, and made an heir based entirely on Christ’s finished work. This is the righteousness of God revealed. To rest in Christ is to stand forever in the unassailable justice and mercy of God. There is no pressure to advance or perform, only the call to understand and trust this profound truth. Christ is your righteousness. He is your assurance.