Conversely, we can express Jesus' righteousness or conduct through ourselves to others (think soup kitchen, etc.) and think that it makes up for a lack of holiness. The most famous example is of Annanias and Saphira who sold their property to contribute to the saints (righteousness) but lied about keeping some of it back (unholiness). It didn’t turn out well for them but served as a severe reminder for the early church (and for us if we will believe it). Righteousness as good works, good deeds, acts of kindness, acts of love, giving materially, bearing other’s burdens, testifying of Jesus, confessing our own sin, seeking the last place, being peacemakers, going the extra mile, turning the other cheek, prayer, or loving one’s enemies are examples of Jesus’ teaching on how we are to follow Him while in this world. As God’s true children, we are only vessels who are either willing or not willing to have the Holy Spirit’s righteousness pour out from us. Although the righteousness is not our own, we both enjoy the blessings and/or endure the sufferings that go with our willingness.

Many will say that we aren’t saved by good works! That’s very true because nobody has a say or contribution in their own birth. A true spiritual rebirth, however, is for the purpose of good works (Ephesians 2:10), and failure or dismissal of these works is a strong indication of spiritual still-birth or illegitimate birth. 

That possibility should always be evaluated by re-reading all of Jesus’ words on what He considers as “faith” or “faithful.” We are warned of this throughout the New Testament, and there is nothing wrong (and everything right) about re-evaluating our faith, goals, purpose, path, and tract to heaven – no matter what Christian “spiritual level” we are on or have come from. Everyone is terribly incomplete, but on the right path, when we make and keep Jesus as the standard of our Christian lives.