What does it mean that Christ is our righteousness?

The concept of Christ being our righteousness is central to the Gospel and is intricately woven into the fabric of Reformed theology. This notion emphasizes that, apart from His perfect obedience, believers could not attain righteousness on their own. Christ fulfilled God’s divine law on behalf of His people and His sacrificial death paid the penalty for sin. As stated in 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.' This dual aspect of Christ's work assures believers that their standing before God is not based on their own merit but entirely on Christ's righteousness imputed to them through faith, providing both assurance and peace.