How does God's grace affect our understanding of righteousness?

Grace fundamentally alters our understanding of righteousness by highlighting that it is not something we can achieve through our efforts. Christians recognize, as emphasized in Galatians 2:21, that if righteousness could come by the law, then Christ died in vain. Instead, Christ's obedience and sacrificial death provide believers with a righteousness that is credited to them. This grace not only strips away our false hopes based on personal merit but also assures us that our standing before God is secured through Christ's perfect work. Thus, grace instills humility and gratitude in the hearts of believers, fostering a life lived for God's glory.