Righteous by Faith in Christ

"But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify." (Romans 3: 21)

There is no righteousness through the law, through the Ten Commandment, ordinances which are against us, contrary to us (Colossians 2: 13-14)

They cannot bring forth righteousness, but actually bring forth the sin and death within us:

"Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:" (Romans 5: 20)

and

"The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law." (1 Corinthians 15: 56)

and

"6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." (2 Corithians 3: 6)'

and

"24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster." (Galatians 3: 24-25)

and

"He is our peace. . .Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;" (Ephesians 2: 14-15)

There are many other passages in the New Testament, which testify that the Old Covenant, the Ten Commandments and the accompanying ceremonial mandates, are all fulfilled and put away in Christ.

In order to make this truth plain and simple to the Israelites, and to all of us, Jesus declared:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)

Paul then writes:

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." (Romans 1: 17)

and then:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2: 20)

We are righteous by faith, not the law -- or any other set of rules like Twelve Steps or any other program, which has been put away and is no longer needed because we believe and receive Jesus as our Savior.