The righteousness of God exists independently of the law, as confirmed by both the Law and Prophets. This righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ and is available to all believers, regardless of their background.

The apostle Paul demonstrated that both gentiles and Jews stood guilty before God, having violated His holy laws and incurred the death penalty. Breaking these beneficial laws leads to self-destruction and separation from God's glory.

Since everyone has sinned and no amount of law-keeping can erase past sins, righteousness is only attainable through Jesus Christ's sacrifice. This sacrifice pays the death penalty for those who believe in Him, repent, and commit to change.

The Old Testament prophesied this path to righteousness, particularly in Isaiah 53:8, which speaks of the Messiah being stricken for our transgressions. This concept sets up Paul's later examples of Abraham and David in Romans 4.

While righteousness is a divine gift that cannot be earned through law-keeping, this doesn't diminish the importance of obeying God's laws. As Paul emphasizes in Romans 6:1-2, grace isn't a license to continue sinning - those who have died to sin shouldn't continue living in it.

This righteousness through faith represents God's solution to humanity's universal sin problem, offering a path to reconciliation for all who believe and follow Christ.

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