Rhapsody of Realities for 7 May 2026 — Grace and Righteousness

TODAY'S RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DEVOTIONAL BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME.

TOPIC: Grace and Righteousness

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

God gives us grace according to His purpose for our lives. His grace works from within you to accomplish what He has designed or called you to do. That grace will influence and bless those who are connected to you according to God’s plan.

But if someone isn’t called to be within the influence of that grace, they may not be blessed by it, because they are not assigned to that calling. However, righteousness is not like grace. We all have the same righteousness because our righteousness is the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We’ve been made righteous by His righteousness.

ALSO READ: Rhapsody of Realities for 6 May 2026 — The Power Is Within You | Pastor Chris Oyakhilome

None of us stands before God on the basis of personal righteousness. None of us is accepted by God because of our own efforts. Whether you were born again five minutes ago, or ten years ago, or fifty years ago, the righteousness we all have is the same. You will never be more righteous than you are today, because you have received the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. You can’t improve it.

Romans 5:17 makes this clear. It says, “...they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness….” There’s only one gift of righteousness and it’s a well-deserved gift for all humanity, following the vicarious sacrifice of the Lord Jesus in our behalf. It’s not earned but received, and it doesn’t grow or increase.

Grace, on the other hand, can increase or be multiplied: “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2). God gives more grace, as James 4:6 says, “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” But righteousness is the same for every Christian, being the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

PRAISEJAMZBLOG INSIGHT

Today’s devotional reminds us that as believers, we are not separate from Christ—we are one with Him. His life, nature, and presence are fully expressed through us, making us His manifestation here on earth. This means we don’t live as ordinary people trying to reach God; we live as carriers of His glory, demonstrating His power, love, and righteousness daily. When this becomes your consciousness, you walk boldly, knowing that everywhere you go, Christ is revealed through you.

PRAYER/CONFESSION

Today’s devotional reminds us that while grace can differ according to God’s unique calling and assignment upon each life, righteousness is the same for every believer because it comes from Jesus Christ Himself. We are not accepted by God based on personal effort, achievements, or spiritual maturity, but through the perfect righteousness of Christ given to us as a gift. This truth removes fear, condemnation, and comparison, and fills us with confidence before God. As we grow in the knowledge of Him, grace increases in our lives, empowering us to fulfill His purpose boldly, while resting securely in the unchanging righteousness we’ve already received through Christ.

FURTHER STUDY

2 Corinthians 9:8: And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

John 1:16: And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Philippians 3:9: And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

2 Corinthians 5:21: 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.

Rhapsody of Realities devotional is written by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, President of LoveWorld Inc. (Christ Embassy).