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. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
“Righteousness simply means that you have right standing with God.” – Mark Hankins
God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to be made sin for us. He took our sin and our curse and died our death. Jesus was made to be sin for us so we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
“And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8:10) Paul said that your spirit is alive because of righteousness. When you received Christ, your spirit received eternal life because you were made righteous. You had the very righteousness of God imparted to your spirit.
Putting off the old man and putting on the new man happens by getting your mind renewed with the Word of God. This new man is created in righteousness and through holiness. When you get born again, you are not just a forgiven sinner. You have been made the righteousness of God in Christ!
Confession: I am a new creation in Christ. The old way of thinking and acting is dead and gone. I have been made the righteousness of God in Christ!