FAITH MUST HAVE a foundation of righteousness to work correctly. We need to understand what righteousness is and who we are in Christ. We can’t believe God for something if we don’t feel like we’re in right standing with Him.
The number one problem I see Christians have is understanding the difference between sin
consciousness and righteousness consciousness. Many believers never know from moment to moment if they’re pleasing God. I call them nervous Christians. They’re saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, but they’re not sure they’re right with God. And it’s hard to believe Him for something without that assurance.
Some Christians still deal with sin consciousness because of their own humanity and failings. They’re trying to become righteous by their performance. But righteousness is not based on performance. It’s based on belief.
Romans 10:10 (NKJV) says, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness.” We become righteous before God by believing in what He has done, not in what we can do.
Sin-conscious Christians don’t receive from God because they’re trying to “feel” worthy. But we can’t pray hard enough, speak in tongues long enough, or read our Bible for enough hours to make ourselves worthy to receive anything from God. We can’t earn what God has already given us.
We simply have to believe in what Jesus has done for us and what God said in His Word. When we believe, God imputes to us righteousness and all the benefits that come with it.
James 5:16 (NKJV) says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” If we are in Christ, we are righteous.
Jesus’ righteousness is our badge of authority to get what God has reserved for us. The blood of Jesus is the pathway we walk on, and righteousness opens the door for us to receive everything God wants us as His children to have.
Faith has action, but it’s based on what Jesus did. We rest on the work of Calvary.
Righteousness is not based on performance. It’s based on belief.
No Longer Under the Law
Paul wrote the Book of Galatians because Jewish Christians were trying to get the Galatian church to go back under the Law. Paul was reminding them that they were righteous apart from the Law.
GALATIANS 5:5–6 (NKJV)
5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
No one becomes righteous through works. What pleases God is “faith that works by love.”
Romans 5:1 (NKJV) says, “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” We have peace with God because, while we were sinners, Jesus redeemed us. Romans 5:5 (NKJV) says, “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.”
What does that mean? Our faith works because we understand how much God loves us. He loved us when we were sinners and sent Jesus to redeem us. How much more does He love us now that we are His children?
1 JOHN 3:20–22 (NKJV)
20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God.
22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
We need confidence for our faith to work. Confidence comes when we understand God’s love for us. Fear indicates that we’re not perfected in God’s love. Love casts out fear because fear has to do with judgment.
Who can condemn us when God has made us righteous? Who can successfully accuse us when Jesus is at God’s right hand interceding for us? Who can separate us from God’s love? Nobody.
When we understand that God has made us righteous, that He loves us, and that He has forgiven our sins, our faith will be unlimited. Our faith will be unstoppable because we know God is backing us up.
Author
Kirk Bubois
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