Can you be righteous?  Yes! Certainly! In fact, not only that, you MUST be righteous in order to be acceptable to God. Its a mistake to think we can be accepted by God without living a pure and holy life. Notice from Proverbs 12:28 – “In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.”

I suppose the word “righteous” could be defined in a number of ways but a basic definition could simple be “that which conforms to the will of God.”  Taking that a step further, a person lives righteously before God when he molds his life to God’s revealed will for man.  When his mind is transformed, rather than conformed to the world.  Romans 12:1-2.  When he maintains a pure heart.  Matthew 5:8.

When we obey the gospel by believing the good news of Jesus Christ, repenting of our sin, confessing our faith and being baptized we are then free of sin and are righteous before God.  Romans 1:16. As we continue to live a life that is pleasing to God, we know that “Whoever practices righteousness is righteous.”  I John 3:7. Simply put, when you are made righteous through your obedience to the gospel and continue to live according to God’s  will you are righteous.  You are “right before God.”