WISDOM FOR THE DAY DEVOTIONAL
BY BISHOP MIKE OKONKWO
SUNDAY APRIL 19th 2026
TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A GIFT FROM GOD
“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 KJV
We have so much glamorised and empowered sin, as if sin is the issue. Sin is not the issue. The issue is your understanding of your righteousness. You must understand your righteousness. Once you understand your righteousness status, you will be another man. You will begin to walk in such a way that when the devil sees you, he will be afraid.
That is why the bible says in Romans 1:17, For therein is the righteousness of God revealed. It is God’s righteousness. Righteousness is not what you earn. You don’t deserve it. You don’t merit it. It is a gift that you received the day you gave your heart to Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says; “for he had made him…” Who is “Him”? He had made Jesus to be sin who knew no sin. For what reason? That we might become the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!
Jesus had become sin, and he came to take away sin. And so, if He has become sin and has taken it away, sin no longer exists for a child of God. So, stop looking at sin.
So what should the believer look at? Righteousness! Always say to yourself: I am righteous. “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.” Who is that man?
That is the first Adam. Death reigned by one. Death had control and dominion over you because of Adam’s disobedience.
In the same vein, much more, they who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign. Notice that the scripture says, those who receive, not those who do something to get. They receive it because it is a gift.
Beloved, it is time for you to start enjoying the gift of righteousness that has been given to you.
Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.
Daily Bible Reading: Morning – 2 Samuel 6-8, Evening – Luke 15:1-10