Why is forsaking personal righteousness important for Christians?

In Christian theology, the act of forsaking personal righteousness is vital because it aligns believers' understanding with the truth of the gospel. In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus states that unless one forsakes all, including their own life and righteousness, they cannot be His disciple. This is echoed in 2 Corinthians 5:21, which declares that Christ became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. The believer is called to recognize that true righteousness comes solely through Christ, and this recognition is the essence of faith and repentance. Relying on our righteousness leads to spiritual pride and the false belief that we can merit God's favor. Conversely, acknowledging our inadequacy and resting in Christ’s perfect righteousness opens the door to true communion with God and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.