The Text: 2 Cor 5:21
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS IN CHRIST
The Bible tells us that Jesus is the root of Jesse, and the offspring of David. In order for us to really apprehend the deepness of our righteousness in God, we must come to the comprehension of our position in Christ. The very fact that Christ took our place on the cross is sufficient evidence that we are the righteousness of Christ. We clearly see in the word of God that the Father and the Holy Spirit were participants in the death of Christ. As witnesses not as a sacrifice. JA

THE FATHER IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST
1. We see the Godhead speaking to us concerning the death of Jesus in the book of Isaiah Chapter 53.

A. The word believe is associated with the word message and arm
Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

*THE HEBREW WORD FOR BELIEVE
539 'aman (aw-man');
a primitive root; properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain; once (Isa. 30:21; interchangeable with 541) to go to the right hand: KJV-- hence, assurance, believe, bring up, establish, + fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right.

*THE HEBREW WORD FOR MESSAGE
8052 shemuw` ah (sehm-oo-aw'); feminine passive participle of 8074; something heard, i.e. an announcement: KJV-- bruit, doctrine, fame, mentioned, news, report, rumor, tidings.

*THE HEBREW WORD FOR ARM
2220 zerowa` (zer-o'-ah);
or (shortened) zeroa` (zer-o'-ah); and (feminine) zerow` ah (zer-o-aw'); or zero` ah (zer-o-aw'); from 2232; the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force: KJV-- arm, + help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength.

*THE HEBREW WORD FOR LORD
YEHOVAH
3068 Yehovah (yeh-ho-vaw');
from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:
KJV-- Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

YHWH
3050 Yahh (yaw);
contraction for 3068, and meaning the same; Jah, the sacred name:
KJV-- Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Compare names in "-iah," "-jah."

ADONAI
136 'Adonay (ad-o-noy');
am emphatic form of 113; the Lord (used as a proper name of God only):
KJV-- (my) Lord.
113 'adown (aw-done');
or (shortened) 'adon (aw-done'); from an unused root (meaning to rule); sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine): KJV-- lord, master, owner. Compare also names beginning with "Adoni-".

ELOHIYM
430 'elohiym (el-o-heem');
plural of 433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative: KJV-- angels, X exceeding, God (gods)- dess, -ly), X (very) great, judges, X mighty.

*THE HEBREW WORD FOR REVEALED
1540 galah (gaw-law');
a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal: KJV-- + advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly, publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely, tell, uncover. ql 1541. gelah (Aramaic) (ghel-aw'); or gela' (Aramaic) (ghel-aw'); corresponding to 1540: KJV-- bring over, carry away, reveal.

God's only begotten Son: The Father gave his only begotten son for the world in John 3:16, " For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST
We see the Holy Spirit involved in the death of Jesus Christ in The book of Hebrews Chapter 9:14, when it says, "how much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleansing our conscious from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God". The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is an eternal act, because the Holy Spirit who is eternal is in that sacrifice. Therefore the righteousness that was inputted into us at our new birth is an eternal righteousness because it's the righteousness of God

The Dictionary definition of inputted
in·put (¹n"p‹t") n. 1. Something put into a system or expended in its operation to achieve output or a result, especially: a. Energy, work, or power used to drive a machine. b. Current, electromotive force, or power supplied to an electric circuit, network, or device.

By this definition, we can see that God has inputted into us, by faith his standard of righteousness so that he can operate, manage, direct, his life through us; and by doing so he can achieve his purposes through us. This result is, "THE CHRIST LIKE LIFE". JA

ADAM'S SIN BRINGS DEATH TO ALL CREATION
When Adam disobeyed God by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he brought death to all of mankind. All the evil and wickedness that we see today is the repercussion of Adam's sin. The Lord gives us reference to this in the book of Galatians chapters 6:8, "If he sows in the field of his natural desires, from it he will gather the harvest of death". [Good News Bible]

THE DEATH OF THE OLD MAN
The sinful man will never experienced the riches of the life of Christ, because his sinful nature does not belong to God but to the devil. Before the fall of man he lived and breathed God. He had no inclination toward evil. His was only to enjoy the presence of his Creator, and to experience the fellowship of his God. Adam and Eve received the nature of the devil when they became disobedient to God's law, and became slaves to Satan by giving Him dominion over their lives. From the time of Adam to the time of Moses there was no law given to Man that would give him a standard of righteousness by which he could live. However because God has placed his very law into the heart of man, man knows by natural instinct what is wrong and what is right.

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST IN THE BELIEVER
What was it that killed our Lord on the cross? It was our sins that killed him. Sin is death because sin originated with the devil. All deceit, murder, lying, indecency, hypocrisy, lust, ungodly passion, idolatry, and every other wickedness that is in this world belong to the devil. He was a murderer from the beginning, and the truth was never in him. Those who are not born again, are born with the sinful nature that was passed down to us from Adam; and Adam received that nature from the devil. Jesus needed to die because he bore the sins of the world; the wrath of God is coming upon all disobedience. If God will punish all disobedience, then it stands to reason why Jesus had to die for our sins, (disobedience). Jesus accepted for our sins the full wrath of God.

Jesus by his resurrection power went into his body and raised it up from death, eliminating the consequences, or the effects of sin out of his body. Adam took on death when he allowed sin to enter his life; consequently, we receive life when we allow Jesus to enter into our lives. He destroys the consequences of the sinful nature that was passed down to us by Adam. The resurrection power of Jesus is the only way to destroy and demolish the power of the sinful nature. Sin cannot inherit the kingdom of God, because his kingdom is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Notice: righteousness (the Father) peace (Jesus Christ) joy (Holy Spirit).

RIGHTEOUS FATHER
In the gospel of John Chapter 17:25, Jesus in his prayer calls the Father, righteous Father.
*John 17:25 "O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. (NKJ)

JESUS OUR PEACE
In the book of Ephesians chapter 2:14, Jesus is called our peace.
*Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, (NKJ)

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF JOY
In the book of Galatians chapter 5:22, we see joy associated with the Holy Spirit
*Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

THE HEBREW WORD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
6666 tsedaqah (tsed-aw-kaw');
from 6663; rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity):
KJV-- justice, moderately, right (-eous) (act, -ly, -ness).
In a moral sense of the word
6663 tsadaq (tsaw-dak');
a primitive root; to be (causatively, make) right (in a moral or forensic sense):
KJV-- cleanse, clearself, (be, do) just (-ice, -ify, -ifyself), (be turn to) righteous (-ness).

The Dictionary meaning of [forensic] fo·ren·sic (f…-rµn"s¹k, -z¹k) adj. 1. Relating to, used in, or appropriate for courts of law or for public discussion or argumentation. 2. Of, relating to, or used in debate or argument; rhetorical. --fo·ren"si·cal·ly adv.

A break down of Isaiah 32:17 pertaining to the work and effect of righteousness
*Isa 32:17 The work or fruit of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. (NKJ)

THE HEBREW WORD FOR PEACE
7965 shalowm (shaw-lome');
or shalom (shaw-lome'); from 7999; safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health, prosperity, peace:
KJV-- X do, familiar, X fare, favour, + friend, X great, (good) health, (X perfect, such as be at) peace (-able, -ably), prosper (-ity, -ous), rest, safe (-ty), salute, welfare, (X all is, be) well, X wholly.

THE HEBREW WORD FOR QUIETNESS
8252 shaqat (shaw-kat');
a primitive root; to repose (usually figurative):
KJV-- appease, idleness, (at, be at, be in, give) quiet (-ness), (be at, be in, give, have, take) rest, settle, be still.

THE HEBREW WORD FOR ASSURANCE
983 betach (beh'takh);
from 982; properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely:
KJV-- assurance, boldly, (without) care (-less), confidence, hope, safe (-ly, -ty), secure, surely.

THE GREEK WORD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
1342 dikaios (dik'-ah-yos);
from 1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively):
KJV-- just, meet, right (-eous)

A break down of 2 Cor 5:21
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NASU)

*MADE
For He made
4160 poieo (poy-eh'-o);
apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):
agree, appoint, cause, commit, without any delay, journeying, ordain, , provide, , purpose, raising up,
*KNEW
Him who knew
1097 ginosko (ghin-oce'-ko);
a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely) in a great variety of applications and with many implications (as follow, with others not thus clearly expressed):
KJV-- allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know (-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand.
*SIN
no sin to be sin for us,
266 hamartia (ham-ar-tee'-ah);
KJV-- offence, sin (-ful).
264 hamartano (ham-ar-tan'-o); perhaps from 1 (as a negative particle) and the base of 3313; properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin:
KJV-- for your faults, offend, sin, trespass.

*MIGHT BECOME
that we might become
1096 ginomai (ghin'-om-ahee);
a prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be ("gen"- erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.):
KJV-- arise, be assembled, become, be brought continue, be finished, follow, be found, be
fulfilled, forbid, be kept, be made, be married, be ordained to be, partake, be published, be showed, be turned.

the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJ)

Abraham's righteousness guarantees the promise of the Holy Spirit
Through Abraham we also received the promise of the Spirit, which came through Jesus Christ. God separated Abraham from his family and his land in order that he might become the patriot Father of the Hebrew nation. It is through him that God establishes his covenant forever, both for the Jew and the Gentile. Abraham was to be a blessing to the whole world through this covenant.

THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE BELIEVER AND THE UNBELIEVER (Psalms 1)
1. The ungodly
a. His walking is constructed of wicked counsel
b. His position is standing in a sinful path
c. He is planted in the seat of mockers

2. The godly
a. He walks in delight of the Law of God
b. He stands and meditates on God
c. He is planted firmly by the streams of water in God

The Lord furthermore makes mention that the leaves of the righteous grow green and never lacks life. He also compares us to a tree that is planted by the streams of living water, which yields its fruit in season.

Here In Psalms 1:3, we see four things
a. The believer is planted by streams of living waters
b. The believer yields fruit
c. The believer never lacks the life of God
d. The believer will prosper in everything

In contrary to the believer the sinner has no life in him and because he is a bad tree he only yields bad fruit.

a. The wicked is like chaff
b. The wicked will not stand in the judgment of the righteous
c. The way of the wicked will perish

Lastly we see that the Lord watches over the life of the righteous and preserves it from all evil. The very last verse of Psalms 1 says, "For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish".

GOD LIVES IN THE TENTS OF THE RIGHTEOUS
In psalms 118:15 we see three things pertaining to the believer and they are as follows
a. The voice of rejoicing
b. Salvation
c. The right hand of the Lord

Ps 118:15
The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tents of the righteous; the right hand of the LORD does valiantly. (NKJ)

The Hebrew word for REJOICING
7440 rinnah (rin-naw');
from 7442; properly, a creaking (or shrill sound), i.e. shout (of joy or grief):
KJV-- cry, gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, sing (-ing), triumph.

The Hebrew word for SALVATION
something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity:
KJV-- deliverance, health, help (-ing), salvation, save, saving (health), welfare.
3467 yasha` (yaw-shah');
a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe;
KJV-- X at all, avenging, defend, deliver (-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation, save (-iour), get victory.

The Hebrew word for RIGHT HAND
3225 yamiyn (yaw-meen');
as the stronger and more dexterous);

GOD REJECTS THE TENTS OF THE WICKED
There is no wickedness in God because God is holy in every aspect of life. He cannot be corrupted, he cannot sin and there is no darkness in him. So it would be contrary to him to dwell in an unholy body. When God redeems a person he consecrates the whole person in order that that person can stand before his presence without fault.

The tents of the wicked
Ps 84:10
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (NKJ)

We are tents in which God lives
2 Cor 5:1
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (NKJ)

2 Cor 5:4
For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. (NKJ)

Peter says of himself he is a tent
2 Pet 1:13-14
13 Yes, I think it is right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by reminding you,
14 knowing that shortly I must put off my tent, just as our Lord Jesus Christ showed me. (NKJ)

THE COVENANT & RIGHTEOUSNESS OF JESUS CHRIST

1. E.W. Kenyon says in his book, "Two kinds of righteousness". God himself is our very righteousness... We are the righteousness of God in him. We are partakers of the divine nature, the moment we accept Christ and come into the Family of God".
2. "Righteousness means the ability to stand in the presence of the Father God without the sense of guilt or inferiority"
3. "Unless you know who you are, and what you are in Christ, you cannot live a victorious life. Satan, sin and disease will be your masters. The instant that you know you are the righteousness of God in Christ, and understand what this righteousness means, Satan is defeated.

THE SEPARATION BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED
In order for us to understand the righteousness that comes from God we must understand the separation between the just and the unjust. In the book of Genesis we see why God destroyed the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Every sin that we see today in our society existed in Abraham's time, from murder to homosexuality the people engaged themselves in wicked pleasures.

ABRAHAM'S PLEAS FOR HIS FAMILY
Before God went to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, he made a stop at Abraham's house to fellowship with him. During their conversation God told Abraham that he was going to destroy wicked cities. Abraham was concerned for his nephew, Lot because he lived in that wicked city, so he began to intercede for Lot and his family. Abraham specifically asked God if he will destroy the wicked with the righteous. The Bible reveals that Abraham interceded to the Lord saying in, "Genesis 18:24 "Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? (NKJ)

Abraham went from fifty people to ten and God said he would not destroy the city if there were ten righteous people in it. [There were not even ten righteous people in that city].

GOD CANNOT CONDEMNED HIS OWN NEW TESTAMENT
Abraham tells God something that reveals the deepness of our righteousness in God.
Gen 18:25
Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (NKJ)

God destroyed the people in Sodom and Gomorrah because they were wicked and immoral. We see here in this particular scripture that God brings his wrath upon the children of disobedience. But we who are righteous in his sight don't have the wickedness that brings the wrath of God.

God cannot condemn his own righteousness.