Established in Righteousness to Receive His Grace

"That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5: 21)

God's grace reigns in righteousness.

Both grace and righteousness are gifts that we are called to receive:

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive [lit. are receiving] abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)

Yet in order for God's grace to work in our lives, we must be established in His righteousness:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)

"All these things added" -- unmerited favor, but we are called to receive His righteousness, not our own:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

We are made righteousness, we are called to keep receiving His righteousness, His perfect standing, and indeed everything else is taken care of:

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." (Romans 14: 17)

The Holy Spirit within us brings righteousness, peace, and joy. Since the Holy Spirit is a gift, what gives us the impression that we can work for anything else in our lives on our own?:

"What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8: 31-32)

"Freely give" -- that's grace, again, Beloved. Rest in His righteousness, and receive everything else with Him!