In order to understand righteousness you must be open to learning and renewing your mind to God’s truth. It’s a beautiful journey—one that leads us closer to understanding God’s heart and our identity in Christ.
What Is Righteousness?
Righteousness isn’t merely about behaving well or following a set of rules. It’s not a “goody-goody” checklist. Instead, it’s about being in right-standing with God. When we accept Jesus, His work on the cross moves us into this position of new birth. We become joint heirs with Christ, part of God’s family, and recipients of His righteousness.
So, righteousness is not something we earn; it’s a gift—a divine exchange where Jesus took our sin and gave us His righteousness. It’s a legal standing before God, not based on our merit but on His grace.
Holiness vs. Righteousness: Clarifying the Difference
Holiness pertains to our conduct—the way we live out our faith. It’s about living a life set apart for God. But righteousness is about our nature—the very essence of who we are in Christ.
Imagine it this way: Holiness is the fruit; righteousness is the root. When we understand our righteous identity, it transforms our behavior.
The Power of Righteousness
Righteousness isn’t passive; it’s a force. Just like faith, love, and hope it operates dynamically in our lives. When we see righteousness as a force, it changes our perspective. We stop striving to be righteous and start living from the righteousness we already possess. This righteousness empowers us to declare truth, rebuke lies, reclaim lost ground, break free from bondage, enforce God’s promises, and receive all that belongs to us in Christ.
Breaking Down the Truth
Sometimes religious traditions and misconceptions cloud our understanding. But as we break down the truth about righteousness—piece by piece—we experience transformation. It’s like removing layers of old thinking and stepping into the light of God’s revelation. Suddenly, we’re not just trying to “be good”; we’re living as sons and daughters of the Most High God.
Your God-Given Identity
Embrace this: You are righteous in Christ. Not because of your performance, but because of His finished work. When doubts creep in, remind yourself of your identity. You’re not an unworthy beggar; you’re a beloved child of God. So, pull back that religious curtain, my friend. See yourself as God sees you—clothed in His righteousness.
Remember, it’s not about what you’ve heard in church all your life; it’s about what God’s Word declares. You’re stepping into hyper-speed faith—a faith that knows who you are and confidently receives all God has for you!
If you ever need a reminder, bookmark Romans 5:17—it beautifully captures the essence of our righteousness in Christ.
Righteousness Can’t Be Earned
“We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.” – Romans 3:22
Do you ever wrestle with feeling “good enough” for God? Perhaps you’ve tried to live a righteous life through your actions, maybe even compared yourself to others, hoping to find that elusive place where you finally feel deserving of being called righteous.
But here’s a paradigm shift: You can’t earn righteousness because you already are righteous. It’s not about how you feel; it’s about what God declares. The moment you were born again, you stepped into righteousness—not perfection or flawless holiness, but right-standing with God. How? Through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-22).
The Gift of Righteousness
God’s ultimate gift to humanity was Jesus. He, who knew no sin, willingly became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21, NKJV). We, who were once steeped in sin, were made righteous when we were born again and became new creations.
So, if you’re born again, you’re already right with God. Sure, there might be areas in your life that need transformation, but your righteousness isn’t tied to your behavior. It’s anchored in your faith in Jesus Christ. And guess what? This gift of righteousness is available to everyone who believes—no exceptions (Romans 3:22). That truth is both powerful and miraculous, and it can revolutionize your life when you truly grasp it.
The Unearned Gift
Despite anything you’ve heard or believed, righteousness is a free gift. God declared you righteous, and no one can vote you out of it. Picture this: Jesus, now seated at the right hand of God, holds the scepter of righteousness (Hebrews 1:8). That scepter signifies His approval, anointing, and appointment. When you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, that scepter pointed directly at you. Case closed—you were presented to your Father as righteous.
Leaning on Righteousness
Once you grasp this revelation of righteousness as a gift, lean into it. Satan will try to convince you otherwise—he’ll whisper that you don’t deserve healing, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, or the ability to minister to others. But armed with the truth, you won’t buy into his sin-consciousness sales pitch.
God expects you to take your rightful place. Believe it, walk in it, and lean hard on the righteousness freely given to you. When life gets tough, don’t buckle under pressure; stand tall. You’re not just a survivor; you’re an over-comer. Victory is yours!
Remember, my friend, you’re not striving for righteousness; you’re living from the righteousness you already possess.
Sin Consciousness Is Not God’s Will for You
“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1
Imagine asking most Christians, “Are you righteous?” Their typical response might be, “Me? No!” They’re trying to be humble, fearing that claiming righteousness would somehow displease God. But in reality, they’re speaking from feelings, training, and sometimes ignorance of what the Word of God truly says about righteousness.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: sin consciousness. It’s that nagging focus on condemnation, on our past mistakes, and on negative outcomes. Satan loves to remind us of our shortcomings, whispering, “Remember all those ugly things you’ve done? God won’t forget them either. You’re unworthy to approach Him!”
Sin Consciousness is not God’s desire
But here’s the truth: Sin consciousness is not God’s desire for His children. We’ve all heard Romans 3:23—“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It’s a verse often quoted in sermons about sin. But let’s keep reading, because Paul had more to say:
“Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood… God did this to demonstrate His righteousness, for He Himself is fair and just, and He makes sinners right in His sight when they believe in Jesus.” (Romans 3:24-26)
Righteousness Consciousness is God’s will
When you beat yourself up over every mistake, it doesn’t make you holy; it just keeps you stuck. But when you made Jesus your Lord, something profound happened: He didn’t merely cover your sins; He put you into right-standing with God. You were re-created by the Spirit of God as if sin had never existed.
Now, let’s clear the fog: There’s no longer a sin problem. Jesus solved it—nailed it to the Cross and conquered it through His Resurrection. What is our real issue? The sinner problem—it’s our choice. We can choose righteousness and walk away from the sin problem because righteousness consciousness is God’s will.
What does that look like practically?
Blessing minded: Shift from curse-minded thinking to blessing-minded living. Expect God’s goodness, favor, and victory.
God-Inside Minded: Recognize that the Holy Spirit dwells within you. You’re not a stained sinner; you’re blood-washed and God-empowered.
Win All the Time: Instead of “win a few, lose a few,” confidently declare, “Thanks be to God who always gives me the victory!”
So, my friend, accept this truth: Sin consciousness isn’t God’s plan for you. You were a sinner, but you’ve been forgiven. You’re now God’s masterpiece, created anew in Christ Jesus. Your past is forgotten by God. It’s time for you to forget it too.
The Powerful Force of Righteousness
“Much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness…reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” – Romans 5:17 (AMPC)
The Reign of Righteousness
The above verse unveils a profound truth in that by receiving righteousness it empowers us to reign as kings in life. Imagine that! When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you tap into an abundance of grace and receive the gift of righteousness. It’s like being crowned as a ruler over your life circumstances.
So, are you reigning over your life, or is life reigning over you? Your righteousness isn’t just a nice spiritual concept; it’s raw power—the authority to govern your life, your health, your home, and your safety.
Taking Authority:
Picture this: You’re a world over-comer. You carry the righteousness of God within you. By faith in the blood of Jesus, start talking like an over-comer, acting like an over-comer, and boldly declaring that the devil is overcome.
Remember your rights: Just as citizens of the United States have constitutional rights outlined in the Bill of Rights, you, as a believer, have rights in the kingdom of God. Jesus Himself said, “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32, KJV).
The Unstoppable Force of Righteousness:
When you stand in God’s righteousness, fear dissipates. Demons flee at the mere mention of Jesus—the One who conquered hell and death on the cross.
Imagine righteousness as a blazing bonfire. It doesn’t just repel sin and death; it consumes them like a drop of water vanishing in the flames. You have more power now, as the righteousness of God in Christ, than Satan ever had over you when you were in sin.
Offensive, Not Defensive:
Jesus secured the victory. Satan was defeated at Calvary. You’re not on the defensive; he is! So don’t underestimate the force of righteousness. Stand firm in the truth about righteousness every single day by keeping Satan scrambling to defend himself. And remember, you’re not just waiting around; you’re occupying—living out your kingdom purpose until Jesus returns.
So, my friend, embrace your kingly authority. Reign in life. Speak it, live it, and watch the devil retreat. You’re not a victim; you’re a victor!
Awake to Righteousness
“Awake to righteousness, and sin not…” – 1 Corinthians 15:34 (KJV) Here’s the heart of it: Awaken to righteousness. It’s not just a spiritual buzzword; it’s a life-transforming truth. Let’s unpack it:
Your Righteous Identity
Become acutely aware that you are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice at Calvary, you were placed in right-standing with Him. Imagine waking up each day with this truth blazing in your mind: You’re not just forgiven; you’re righteous. Sin no longer defines you; righteousness does.
Satan’s Strategy: Sin Consciousness
Satan’s favorite tactic is convincing you that you lack any right to God’s blessings. He wants to keep you under his thumb, enslaved by sin. But when you fully grasp your righteousness, you’ll see Satan for what he is—a defeated foe. The struggle ends: victory begins.
Embrace Righteousness by Renewing Your Mind:
Equipped and empowered, that’s you! Handle life’s situations with confidence. Reign as a king through Jesus Christ. Choose to fellowship with God because He intentionally bestowed His righteousness, ability, and strength upon you. Why? Because the One within you—the Holy Spirit—is greater than anything in the world (1 John 4:4, KJV). Praise God for that!
The Truth Unveiled:
So, what is righteousness? It’s not something you earn; it’s a gift. Sin consciousness isn’t God’s plan for you. Righteousness is a force—a bonfire that consumes sin and death. You have more power now than Satan ever had over you in your sinful past.
No More Doubt:
Once you awaken to righteousness, doubt dissipates. You won’t question your standing with God anymore. Live, operate, and focus on the power of righteousness. It’s God’s will for you.
Remember, my friend, you’re not just waking up; you’re awakening to a truth that sets you free. You’re not a victim; you’re a victor. So rise and shine in righteousness!