Righteous Of God

Luke 1:5-6 ESV
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

Romans 3:21-26
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For
there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

There seems to be a contradiction here with regard to righteousness.

Believing God is the underlying principle and requirement necessary to be right with God. Abraham and Noah believed God and it counted as righteousness. This does not mean they did not sin, but they listened to and obeyed God.

Then God gave the Law through Moses to teach us about sin. We came to understand our helplessness to measure up to our Holy God.

Then we were ready to receive His Son Jesus Who was able to fulfill the Law and is able to restore all who believe in His name into fellowship with God.

Those who believe are free. Those who do not are still chained to the Law, which because of our weakness leads to death.

Believing God is the issue and question from the Garden to the day of The Lord. Salvation rests on belief.