But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, but it is the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in God’s merciful restraint He let the sins previously committed go unpunished; for the demonstration, that is, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:21-26)

Paul emphasized the cross of Christ all his life as we clearly see in his letters. It is easy to think that faith is a condition to gain righteousness. Many Christians claim that they have faith but do not have the knowledge of God. God does not accept a person who merely says, “I believe”, without knowing Him. Jesus Christ taught His people who God is with the authority given by the Father. And it is the Holy Spirit who gives the understanding of the words of God. Therefore, true faith and true knowledge of God are inseparable.

Many Christians think that righteousness has to do with the law. The NT says that we are freed from righteousness from the law. The law was given for people to seek Jesus Christ. Because the righteousness of God is revealed in the cross of Christ, anyone who does not believe in Him is unrighteous.

And in that day it will be said, “Surely this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He has saved us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited. Let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation.” (Isaiah 25:9)

The devil is constantly trying to enslave us again just as the Egyptians went after the Israelites in the OT. He and his followers use two ways to achieve their goal. Firstly they encourage people to sin. They use ‘freedom’ to lure people. Secondly, they use the law to enslave people. The law is good but it was not given for us to gain righteousness through it.

God’s glory is closely related to His kingdom. And chapter 17 tells us how God is glorified. The kingdom of priests requires each member to be born again from above. This rebirth is connected to adoption as children of God. It is also related to eternal life and righteousness.

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)

Christ is represented as water and blood. He is water turned into blood as we read John 4. Water is the Word and Truth. He revealed the Father to us. His knowledge of God became ours because He made us born from above. He made us one with God. This He achieved on the cross. He obeyed the Father fully because He knew His will.

The foundation of the kingdom is self-sacrificing love. It is the love that a father has for his son. Love is the fulfillment of the law. Christ fulfilled the law and prophecies. He died on the cross and was resurrected to life so that we would become God’s children.

The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me. Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. (John 17:22-24)

We reject the Covenant Theology and the Active Obedience of Christ because they give the wrong understanding of the law and obedience to people. They shift our attention from the cross of Christ to the law. Their interpretation of the law is the Mosaic law, not self-sacrificing love. Those people who support these theories typically show little respect for the law as I witnessed in the Reformed church. They look pious outside but they serve themselves, not God. The devil and his followers use the law to enslave others and yet despise the law. They promote sinning.

“My covenant with him was one of life and peace, and I gave them to him as an object of reverence; so he revered Me and was in awe of My name. True instruction was in his mouth and injustice was not found on his lips; he walked with Me in peace and justice, and he turned many back from wrongdoing. For the lips of a priest should maintain knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the LORD of armies. But as for you, you have turned aside from the way; you have caused many to stumble by the instruction; you have ruined the covenant of Levi,” says the LORD of armies. “So I also have made you despised and of low reputation in the view of all the people, since you are not keeping My ways but are showing partiality in the instruction.” (Malachi 2:5-9)