Romans 9:30 : What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, who followed not after righteousness, attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith. When a man is forgiven, when his sins are blotted out, he is righteous. Men attain to that righteousness when they through faith become obedient to the Lord Jesus Christ. While the Gentiles did not seek righteousness according to the law, they became righteous by their obedience to the gospel. "But thanks be to God, that, whereas ye were servants of sin, ye became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereunto ye were delivered; and being made free from sin, ye be-came servants of righteousness" (Romans 6:17-18).