How do we know we need God's righteousness?

The necessity of God's righteousness is grounded in the truth presented in Romans 3:23, which states that 'all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' This passage demonstrates that both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of divine mercy and righteousness. Paul’s argument throughout Romans is to establish that no human efforts, including moral works or religious heritage, can satisfy God's standards. The only righteousness that meets God's approval is that of Jesus Christ, acquired through faith in Him. Recognizing our own sinfulness and the inadequacy of our righteousness is the first step toward salvation.