When we believe in Jesus, we are not just declared righteous in a legal sense, but we are also made new at the core of our being. We are given a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26-27), and we become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). This transformation means that we are truly righteous, not just in theory but in reality. We are no longer slaves to sin but have become slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:18).

Some people find the Bible confusing because in places such as Ezekiel 18:24 it says that a righteous person who turns from righteousness and sins will die. This confusion comes from a failure to account for what covenant was in force when these things were said.

Many have wrongly taught that we are only positionally or judicially righteous. They say that God sees us as righteous and that when we leave this temporal life we will be made completely righteous in heaven. Or they teach that righteousness has been written down to our account, or we have been judged righteous but again, this will only be received by us in heaven.

The problem is that this isn't what the Scriptures teach.

If the Old Testament makes anything clear, it makes it clear that God does not dwell in unclean unholy places. It also makes clear (as does the Revelation) that God dwells among His people. If we are not ACTUALLY righteous, holy, blameless, then He CANNOT live in us.

You can't even be charged with any wrong because God has justified you. That means you were found not guilty in God's court. Think about it. How can you be guilty of anything if Jesus has given you His righteousness? (see 2 Corinthians 5:21)