We Must Let Christ Live In Us.

 The law reveals a standard of right, but does not give righteousness.

The law that says you shouldn't steal, doesn't make someone who doesn't steal, righteous. The law is telling you that not stealing is the right thing to do. The law is information of a right standard. If you don't steal you've kept a right standard. If you keep a right standard that is a good thing to do, but, because of our sinful nature we could never keep the right standard perfectly- it's impossible for us on our own to be righteous, a mere thought we might have is more than enough to reveal our unrighteousness.

There is only one righteous and because Jesus Christ died for us to give us HIS righteousness, we can be one with God again. Christ's righteousness alone is our righteousness. 

*

(Excerpt)

Righteousness Without the Law. 

Since because of man's weak and fallen condition no one can get righteousness out of the law, it is evident that if any man ever has righteousness he must get it from some other source than the law. If left to themselves and the law, men would truly be in a deplorable condition. But here is hope. The righteousness of God without the law or apart from the law, is manifested. This reveals to man a way of salvation.

Righteousness "Manifested." Where? 

Why, of course where it most needs to be manifested, in people, that is, in a certain class described in the next verse. But it does not originate in them. The Scriptures have already shown us that no righteousness can come from man. The righteousness of God is manifested in Jesus Christ. He himself said through the prophet David: "I delight to do thy will, O my God; yea, thy law is within my heart. I have preached righteousness in the great congregation; lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest." Ps.  40:8, 9.

"Witnessed by the Law." 

Let no one imagine that in the gospel he can ignore the law of God. 

The righteousness of God which is manifested apart from the law, is witnessed by the law. It is such righteousness as the law witnesses to, and commends. It must be so, because it is the righteousness which Christ revealed; and that came from the law, which was in his heart. So, although the law of God has no righteousness to impart to any man, it does not cease to be the standard of righteousness. There can be no righteousness that does not stand the test of the law. The law of God must put its seal of approval upon every one who enters heaven. (End Excerpt)

*******

Christ in us- is Christ's righteousness in us- we must choose to let Christ live in us.