Embracing God's Gifts: Righteousness, Freedom, and Adoption
Summary
In today's exploration of the book of Romans, we delve into the profound gift of righteousness, specifically imputed righteousness, which is a cornerstone of our faith. This righteousness is not of our own making; it is a divine gift from God, granted through faith in Jesus Christ. Our own attempts at righteousness, based on adherence to the law or personal merit, fall short and cannot save us. Instead, true righteousness is credited to us by God when we place our faith in Christ. This is a transformative truth that Paul emphasizes in Philippians 3:9, where he contrasts self-earned righteousness with the righteousness that comes from God.
Paul's journey from a Pharisee, who once believed in righteousness through the law, to a follower of Christ, who understood righteousness as a gift, illustrates the shift from human effort to divine grace. This imputed righteousness is a one-time act, accomplished through Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and it does not need to be repeated. It is a finished work, as Jesus declared, "It is finished."
Furthermore, we explored the concept of freedom from sin, another gift that accompanies salvation. When God saves us, He not only forgives our sins but also liberates us from the bondage of sin. We are no longer slaves to sin but are now slaves to righteousness. This freedom is not a license to indulge in sin but a call to live a life that honors God.
Adoption into God's family is another profound aspect of our salvation. Through Christ, we are given the right to become children of God, enjoying the full privileges of sonship. This adoption is not based on our merit but on God's grace and will. It transforms our identity and assures us of an eternal inheritance.
These gifts—righteousness, freedom from sin, and adoption—are part of the great salvation we have in Christ. They remind us of the depth and richness of God's grace and call us to live lives that reflect His glory.
Key Takeaways:
1. Imputed Righteousness: True righteousness is not achieved by human effort but is a gift from God, credited to us through faith in Jesus Christ. This righteousness is a one-time act, accomplished by Christ's sacrifice, and it assures us of our standing before God. [04:20]
2. Freedom from Sin: Salvation not only forgives our sins but also liberates us from the bondage of sin. We are no longer slaves to sin but are called to live as slaves to righteousness, honoring God with our lives. [16:45]
3. Adoption into God's Family: Through Christ, we are adopted into God's family, enjoying the full privileges of sonship. This adoption transforms our identity and assures us of an eternal inheritance, highlighting the depth of God's grace. [31:52]
4. The Finished Work of Christ: Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," signifies the completion of His redemptive work. Our righteousness is a finished work, and we are called to rest in this truth, knowing that our salvation is secure in Him. [06:47]
5. Living Out Our Freedom: Our freedom in Christ is not a license to sin but a call to live a life that reflects God's glory. We are to use our freedom to serve others in love, being mindful of how our actions impact those around us. [22:44]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:41] - Introduction to Righteousness
[01:43] - Imputed Righteousness Explained
[02:50] - Paul's Transformation
[03:43] - The Inadequacy of Self-Righteousness
[04:20] - Justification by Faith
[05:52] - Substitutionary Atonement
[06:47] - The Finished Work of Christ
[08:04] - Righteousness in Romans
[09:24] - The Origin of Righteousness
[10:19] - Faith Credited as Righteousness
[11:20] - Praying for Salvation
[12:24] - Reigning in Life through Christ
[13:34] - Clothed in Righteousness
[14:33] - The Gift of Freedom from Sin
[15:34] - Living as Slaves to Righteousness
[16:45] - Freedom and Responsibility
[18:06] - Dead to Sin, Alive to God
[19:18] - The Power of Scripture
[20:09] - The Call to Holiness
[21:46] - The Law of the Spirit
[22:44] - Freedom and Love
[24:00] - The Deception of Alcohol
[25:21] - The Influence of Freedom
[26:08] - Teaching the Next Generation
[27:21] - The Impact of Our Actions
[28:38] - Personal Testimony
[29:45] - The Gift of Adoption
[30:50] - Adoption and Identity
[31:52] - Full Rights as Children of God
[33:04] - The Love of the Father
[33:46] - Eternal Inheritance
[35:09] - The Reality of Heaven and Hell
[36:48] - Personal Reflection on Adoption
[37:28] - The Great Salvation
[38:23] - A Call to Faithfulness
[39:08] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Romans 3:21-24
2. Philippians 3:9
3. John 1:12-13
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#### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 3:21-24, how is the righteousness of God revealed, and who is it available to?
2. In Philippians 3:9, what does Paul say about the source of true righteousness? How does this contrast with self-earned righteousness? [02:50]
3. What does John 1:12-13 say about the process of becoming children of God? What are the conditions mentioned for this transformation?
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul's transformation from a Pharisee to a follower of Christ illustrate the shift from self-earned righteousness to imputed righteousness? [02:50]
2. What does it mean to be "clothed in Christ's righteousness," and how does this concept affect a believer's identity and standing before God? [04:20]
3. How does the concept of adoption into God's family, as described in John 1:12-13, transform a believer's identity and relationship with God? [30:50]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you are relying on self-earned righteousness rather than the righteousness that comes from faith in Christ? How can you shift your focus to trust more in God's gift of righteousness? [02:50]
2. In what ways can you live out your freedom from sin in your daily life? Are there specific habits or behaviors you need to change to reflect your new identity as a slave to righteousness? [16:45]
3. How does understanding your adoption into God's family impact your sense of belonging and purpose? What steps can you take to embrace this identity more fully? [30:50]
4. Consider the concept of "the finished work of Christ." How can resting in this truth bring peace and assurance to your spiritual journey? [06:47]
5. How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others in love, especially in situations where your actions might impact those around you? [22:44]
6. Think about a time when you struggled with feeling like you had to earn God's favor. How can the truth of imputed righteousness change your perspective and approach to your relationship with God? [04:20]
7. Identify one way you can demonstrate the privileges of being a child of God in your community this week. How can you share the love and grace you've received with others? [33:04]
Devotional
Day 1: The Gift of Imputed Righteousness
True righteousness is not something we can achieve through our own efforts or adherence to the law. It is a divine gift from God, credited to us through faith in Jesus Christ. This imputed righteousness is a one-time act, accomplished by Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and it assures us of our standing before God. Paul, once a Pharisee who believed in righteousness through the law, experienced a profound transformation when he understood that righteousness is a gift from God. This truth is emphasized in Philippians 3:9, where Paul contrasts self-earned righteousness with the righteousness that comes from God. As believers, we are called to rest in this truth, knowing that our salvation is secure in Him. [04:20]
"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's approval through your own efforts? How can you rest in the truth of imputed righteousness today?
Day 2: Freedom from the Bondage of Sin
Salvation not only forgives our sins but also liberates us from the bondage of sin. We are no longer slaves to sin but are called to live as slaves to righteousness, honoring God with our lives. This freedom is not a license to indulge in sin but a call to live a life that reflects God's glory. When God saves us, He not only forgives our sins but also empowers us to live a life that honors Him. This transformative truth calls us to use our freedom to serve others in love, being mindful of how our actions impact those around us. [16:45]
"For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." (Romans 6:14, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel trapped by sin? How can you embrace the freedom Christ offers and live as a slave to righteousness today?
Day 3: Adoption into God's Family
Through Christ, we are adopted into God's family, enjoying the full privileges of sonship. This adoption is not based on our merit but on God's grace and will. It transforms our identity and assures us of an eternal inheritance. As children of God, we are given the right to become part of His family, enjoying the full privileges and responsibilities that come with it. This profound truth highlights the depth of God's grace and calls us to live lives that reflect His glory. [31:52]
"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John 1:12, ESV)
Reflection: How does knowing you are adopted into God's family change the way you view yourself and your relationship with others? What is one way you can live out your identity as a child of God today?
Day 4: The Finished Work of Christ
Jesus' declaration, "It is finished," signifies the completion of His redemptive work. Our righteousness is a finished work, and we are called to rest in this truth, knowing that our salvation is secure in Him. This assurance allows us to live with confidence and peace, knowing that our standing before God is not based on our own efforts but on Christ's sacrifice. As believers, we are called to live in the reality of this finished work, trusting in the sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for our salvation. [06:47]
"When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, 'It is finished,' and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit." (John 19:30, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways do you struggle to rest in the finished work of Christ? How can you remind yourself of the sufficiency of His sacrifice in your daily life?
Day 5: Living Out Our Freedom
Our freedom in Christ is not a license to sin but a call to live a life that reflects God's glory. We are to use our freedom to serve others in love, being mindful of how our actions impact those around us. This freedom calls us to live lives that honor God and reflect His love to the world. As believers, we are called to be mindful of how our actions impact those around us and to use our freedom to serve others in love. [22:44]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you use your freedom in Christ to serve others today? What is one specific way you can reflect God's love to those around you?
Quotes
Our next gift is righteousness. Righteousness. And this is talking about imputed righteousness. It's not talking about our righteousness. Our righteousness can't save us, can it? It's talking about the righteousness that God gives through Christ by faith in Jesus Christ. [00:00:10]
But after he encountered Christ, he realized that true righteousness came not by human effort, but as a gift of God through faith. Now, Paul contrasts two kinds of righteousness. There is a self-earned righteousness through the law. He says, my own righteousness. [00:03:04]
A second kind of righteousness that he mentions is a righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ. That is imputed righteousness. That's where God credits the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ to the believer when they trust in Him. [00:04:05]
And this righteousness is not achieved by any works, but it's received by faith alone. So Paul's statement here in Philippians 3:9, it reflects his deeper understanding of justification. We are not justified by our works under the law, but by being clothed in Christ's righteousness through faith. [00:04:20]
Jesus, who was sinless, took on our sin, and in exchange, His righteousness is credited to us. So we have an exchange going on there. He takes our sin, and we take His righteousness. And that only happens at salvation. [00:06:29]
And it's a one-time act. It doesn't have to keep being repeated any more than the death of Christ has to be repeated. It doesn't have to be repeated. It's a one-for-all act, right? When Jesus died on the cross and was resurrected the third day and ascended to the Father, what's it say after that? He sat down at the right hand of the Father. [00:06:50]
So this is the heart of imputation. We do not earn righteousness, but we receive it as a gift. It is a gift. In fact, all of these things, as I've been listing them for you, and I keep noting this over and over, these are gifts that make up the one big gift of salvation. [00:07:28]
But now, having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification and the outcome eternal life. This next gift is freedom from sin. Freedom from sin. See, when God saves you, when he redeems you, He not only forgives you of your sin, He frees you from it. [00:15:55]
But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed. And having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. That's what we are. God has freed us from sin. We've been set free. [00:17:35]
So when we look at freedom from sin, we have to look at it from this perspective. God has freed you. Don't go back to those things that enslave you. Don't go to those things for which Christ has died for. Right? [00:29:45]
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. Being born of God. Becoming children of God. [00:30:28]
Adoption is a theological term that refers to God's act of bringing sinners into His family, as children. This is an act of God's grace. Ephesians 1:5, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the kind intention of His will. [00:31:11]
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