“The Two Aspects of Christ as the Believers’ Righteousness: Objective Righteousness vs. Subjective Righteousness”

 

“The Two Aspects of Christ as the Believers’ Righteousness: Objective Righteousness vs. Subjective Righteousness”

Romans 3:25 Whom God set forth as a propitiation place through faith in His blood…

Romans 3:26 That He might be righteous and the One who justifies him who is of the faith of Jesus.

1 Peter 2:24a Who Himself bore up our sins in His body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness. 

Aspect	Objective Righteousness	Subjective Righteousness
Meaning	Christ is the believers’ righteousness so that at repentance and faith in Christ they are justified objectively before God, being accepted by God outwardly.	Christ is the believers’ righteousness lived out from within them, expressing God in their living; this becomes their subjective justification before God.
Reason	Humans cannot meet God’s righteous requirement; God gives Christ as righteousness to cover and justify those who believe.	God desires not only to forgive but to gain a people who express Him through righteous living issuing from the divine life.
Distinction	Outward, objective, once-for-all, positional, judicial, for acceptance before God; like clothing covering the sinner.	Inward, experiential, progressive, lived out daily, organic; like life being supplied and expressed in righteous deeds.
Types  (Typology)	The best robe (Luke 15:22); the queen’s outer garment (Psa. 45:13–14); the wedding garment (Matt. 22:11–12).	The fattened calf (Luke 15:23); the queen’s embroidered inner garment;  the fine linen of Rev. 19:8 (the righteous deeds of the saints).
Illustrations	→ A robe covering the sinner → Immediate acceptance before God → A judicial verdict of “not guilty”	→ Eating the fattened calf → The wedding garment (positional righteousness) → Life supply becoming inward constitution → Righteousness expressed in behavior → Fine linen: the righteousnesses lived out
Mutual Relationship	Objective righteousness is the beginning. Without the covering robe, there is no standing before God.	Subjective righteousness is the issue. The inward life supply produces righteous living as the expression of Christ.
Examples in Scripture	The prodigal son receiving the robe; believers immediately justified at salvation (Acts 13:39; Rom. 3).	Peter living a righteous life after the Lord’s resurrection (1 Pet. 2:24). Believers living honesty, purity, meekness, and holiness.
Application	Stand firmly on Christ as our righteousness. Do not rely on works. Reject self-condemnation; trust His blood and righteousness.	Daily enjoy Christ as life—pray, read, fellowship—so that righteousness is lived out in attitudes, words, and conduct.
Burden	That believers see justification is by faith alone, relying only on Christ, not works or self-effort.	That believers would express Christ as practical righteousness, becoming His testimony on the earth.
Prophesying Guidelines	Declare: — “I am justified in Christ!” — “Christ is my robe of righteousness!”	Declare: — “This righteousness is of God!” — “Christ is my life!” — “I live Christ daily!” — “The righteousness I express is Christ Himself!”
Expanded Scriptures	Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; Acts 13:39 By Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. Galatians 3:24 The law has become our child-conductor unto Christ that we might be justified by faith. Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.	Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offenses and was raised for our justification. James 2:24 A man is justified by works and not by faith only. Matthew 5:20 Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall by no means enter into the kingdom of the heavens. Revelation 19:8 …the fine linen is the righteousnesses of the saints.

 

Conclusion: 

Objective righteousness gives us standing before God.

Subjective righteousness produces the expression of God in our living.

  

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, Week 8: Seeking First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

The Crown of Righteousness vs. The Righteous Judge

 

The Crown of Righteousness vs. The Righteous Judge

2 Timothy 4:8 “Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

1 Corinthians 9:25 “Everyone who contends goes into training. They do it to get a perishable crown, but we want an imperishable one.”

Matthew 16:27 “The Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and he will repay each person according to what they have done.” 

Aspect	The Crown of Righteousness	The Righteous Judge
Meaning	1. Symbolizes glory and victory (1 Cor. 9:25). 2. A reward prepared for the overcomers who finish the spiritual race. 3. Not salvation, but a reward beyond salvation.	1. Christ appearing as the Judge when He returns (2 Tim. 4:8). 2. He no longer comes merely as Savior, but as the One who judges His servants (John 5:22).
Reason	1. Based on believers’ works (Matt. 16:27). 2. According to righteousness, not grace (Rev. 22:12). 3. For the faithful and victorious runners.	1. All servants must give an account when the Lord returns (Matt. 25:21–26). 2. Judgment is carried out according to righteousness. 3. Necessary for the administration of the kingdom.
Difference	1. The crown is a reward, not judgment. 2. It is an outcome given to believers. 3. It is earned through faithfulness.	1. The Judge is a person—the Lord Jesus. 2. He is the One who gives (or withholds) the reward. 3. He evaluates actions, faithfulness, and motives.
Explanation	1. The crown is not obtained by grace but by righteous evaluation. 2. It is an incorruptible, heavenly crown (1 Cor. 9:25).	1. The Lord judges believers at His judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:10). 2. His judgment is righteous, not sentimental.
Interrelationship	1. The crown is granted by the Judge. 2. Without the righteous Judge, there is no crown. 3. The judgment determines the granting of the crown.	1. The Judge’s decision produces the crown. 2. His appearing is the time of reward. 3. Reward comes through righteous judgment.
Examples	1. Paul was assured that the crown was laid up for him (2 Tim. 4:8). 2. The faithful servants in Matthew 25 receiving reward.	1. Matthew 25—the faithful vs. lazy servants judged. 2. Believers appearing before Christ’s judgment seat (2 Cor. 5:10).
Application	1. Run the race with endurance and self-control. 2. Live faithfully and love His appearing (2 Tim. 4:8). 3. Seek to be an overcomer.	1. Live with a sense of accountability before the Lord. 2. Serve faithfully in every commission. 3. Live in holy fear of His righteous judgment (1 Pet. 1:17).
Burden	1. To remind believers that salvation is only the beginning; reward depends on the race. 2. To inspire believers to pursue the crown.	1. To warn believers that the Lord returns as Judge. 2. To urge believers to be faithful stewards.
Prophetic Speaking Guidance	1. Proclaim the promised crown to encourage the saints. 2. Strengthen believers to run with endurance.	1. Declare the truth of the Lord’s righteous judgment. 2. Exhort believers to serve faithfully.
Related  Scriptures	Revelation 22:12 “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will repay each person according to what they have done.” 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.” Ephesians 2:5, 8–9 (Salvation by Grace) "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not of your own making; it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one may boast." Matthew 25:21, 26 (Judgment of the Servant) "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful in a few things…" "You wicked and lazy servant…" Matthew 13:43 "Then the righteous will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom." Ephesians 5:5 "...in the kingdom of Christ and of God none of us have a part or a stake." 2 Peter 1:11 "In this way you will have richly entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
Conclusion	1. The Crown of Righteousness is the eternal reward for victorious believers. 2. It motivates us to run the heavenly race.	1. The Righteous Judge is Christ’s role at His return. 2. Loving His appearing and serving faithfully ensures the reward.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, Week 8: Seeking First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.

God’s Love vs. God’s Righteousness — Seen Through the Cross

God’s Love vs. God’s Righteousness — Seen Through the Cross

John 3:16—God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.
Romans 5:8—Christ died for us while we were sinners, proving God’s love.
Romans 3:25–26—Christ as the propitiation demonstrates God’s righteousness: He is righteous and also justifies those who believe in Jesus. 

Aspect	God’s Love	God’s Righteousness
Meaning	Love is God’s nature and inward motivation to save, care, and draw near to man.	Righteousness is God’s procedure, way, and divine law—His moral requirement for dealing with sin.
Reason	God loves mankind and desires none to perish; love moved Him to bear man’s punishment.	God is righteous and therefore cannot tolerate sin; He must judge sin to maintain His holiness and dignity.
Difference	Love forgives, covers, bears, and substitutes for man.	Righteousness demands penalty, judgment, and legal satisfaction.
Explanation	Love led God to transfer the punishment to Himself in Christ on the cross.	God must judge sin. The cross preserved God’s righteousness by satisfying all legal demands.
Purpose	To save sinners, draw them into God’s life, and manifest His compassion.	To make salvation legal and proper; to justify sinners and constitute them God’s righteousness.
Interrelationship	The cross fully manifested God’s love—God willingly bore man’s penalty.	The cross fully manifested God’s righteousness—God judged sin uncompromisingly. Love and righteousness meet harmoniously on the cross.
Example  (the Cross)	Christ became sin for us and bore the judgment because of divine love.	God judged Christ as the Substitute because righteousness requires judgment.
Application for Believers	Live in God’s love: forgive, cover, intercede, care, and express Christ’s gentleness.	Live out God’s righteousness: walk properly, justly, and “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.”
Burden	To help believers see that the cross is the outpouring of divine love.	To see that salvation is not emotional or random, but strictly according to God’s righteous procedure.
Prophesying Pointers	Emphasize that God personally bore what we could not bear—this is love.	Emphasize that God judged sin in Christ so we could become God’s righteousness.
Conclusion	God’s love willingly saves and substitutes for sinners.	God’s righteousness demands judgment and proper procedure. The cross is the perfect meeting place of love and righteousness.
Related Scriptures	John 3:16—God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. Romans 5:8—Christ died for us while we were sinners, proving God’s love. 1 John 4:9–10—God sent His Son as the propitiation for our sins; this is love.	Matthew 6:33—Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21—He who knew no sin was made sin that we might become the righteousness of God.

 

Integrated Key Points:

1. God’s Love

• Love moved God to substitute Himself for man.
• Love bore what man could never bear.
• Love paid the supreme cost—giving His Son.

2. God’s Righteousness

• God must judge sin; otherwise He is not righteous.
• Salvation must follow God’s divine procedure.
• Righteousness required the judgment to fall upon Christ.

3. The Cross

• The cross displays God hates sin (righteousness) and God loves sinners (love).
• Both attributes are fully expressed without compromise.
• The cross is the perfect harmony of love and righteousness.

4. Result

• We become the righteousness of God in Christ—a living expression of God’s righteousness on earth.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training, General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7, Week 8: Seeking First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.