Embracing Our Identity: The Power of Righteousness in Christ
Summary
In my recent sermon, I focused on the profound significance of righteousness and its impact on our lives as believers. I began by discussing the symbol of the cross, which represents the greatest act of love known to humanity—Jesus laying down His life for us. This act of love was not just for our eternal salvation but also for our present reality. The cross is not merely a symbol of suffering and death but also of the victory and life we have in Christ.
I delved into the physical and spiritual agony Jesus endured on the cross, emphasizing that His spiritual suffering—being made sin for us—was even more harrowing than the physical torment. This led to the greatest exchange: Jesus took on our sin so that we could be made the righteousness of God in Him. This exchange is not just a historical event but a present reality that should transform how we live.
I highlighted the importance of understanding righteousness, which is being made right with God through Jesus Christ. This righteousness is not based on our actions or goodness but is a gift from God, imputed to us through faith in Christ. I stressed that many Christians are mistakenly established in the idea that we are merely "sinners saved by grace," rather than recognizing our new identity as new creations in Christ, the workmanship of God.
I also addressed the common feelings of unworthiness and guilt that plague many believers, pointing out that these feelings are contrary to the truth of our righteousness in Christ. Instead of being sin-conscious, we should be righteousness-conscious, understanding that we are declared worthy and accepted by God. This understanding empowers us to live victoriously, resist the devil, and approach God with confidence.
Throughout the sermon, I encouraged believers to embrace their identity in Christ and to live out the reality of being the righteousness of God. This understanding is essential for a life of faith and victory, enabling us to pray effectively and to stand firm against the enemy's accusations.
Key Takeaways:
- Righteousness is not a status we achieve through our efforts but a gift we receive through faith in Christ. When we understand that we are made right with God, not by our works but by Jesus' sacrifice, it changes our entire perspective on life and empowers us to live confidently in our relationship with God. [16:27]
- The revelation of our righteousness in Christ is transformative. It shifts our focus from our failures to God's grace, allowing us to approach Him boldly, even when we stumble. This revelation is crucial for maintaining a healthy and vibrant relationship with God, as it reminds us that our standing with Him is secure because of Jesus. [24:33]
- Being established in righteousness means having a deep revelation of our new identity in Christ. It is essential to recognize that we are not defined by our past sins but by the righteousness that God has imputed to us. This understanding liberates us from guilt and unworthiness, enabling us to live in the freedom Christ has won for us. [36:45]
- The enemy's strategy often involves convincing us of our unworthiness and guilt. However, when we are established in our righteousness in Christ, we can confidently resist the devil and his lies. Knowing our right standing with God gives us authority in spiritual battles and assurance in our prayers. [29:54]
- The concept of righteousness should not be a theological abstraction but a practical reality that influences our daily lives. As we wake up to righteousness, we are empowered to live holy lives, not out of obligation but out of a genuine desire to honor God with our actions. This empowerment comes from understanding who we are in Christ and the work He has accomplished on our behalf. [41:07]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 15:13 - "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:21 - "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
3. Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 15:13, what is the greatest act of love? How does this relate to the cross? [00:28]
2. In 2 Corinthians 5:21, what significant exchange took place on the cross? [10:04]
3. How does Romans 5:8 describe God's love for us, and what does it say about the timing of Christ's sacrifice? [01:51]
4. What are some common feelings that believers struggle with, according to the sermon, and how do these feelings contradict the truth of our righteousness in Christ? [23:18]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the greatest act of love in John 15:13 change our perspective on the significance of the cross? [00:28]
2. What does it mean to be made the righteousness of God in Christ, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:21? How does this new identity affect our daily lives? [10:04]
3. Reflect on Romans 5:8. Why is it important that Christ died for us while we were still sinners? How does this demonstrate the nature of God's love? [01:51]
4. The sermon mentions that many Christians are established in the idea of being "sinners saved by grace" rather than recognizing their new identity. How does this misunderstanding impact their spiritual life and relationship with God? [37:22]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life. How does the understanding that Jesus laid down His life for you (John 15:13) influence your daily actions and decisions? [00:28]
2. Have you ever struggled with feelings of unworthiness or guilt? How can the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:21 help you overcome these feelings and live confidently in your relationship with God? [23:18]
3. In what ways can you shift your focus from your failures to God's grace, as suggested in the sermon? How might this change your approach to prayer and spiritual battles? [24:33]
4. Think about a time when you felt distant from God due to sin. How can the promise of forgiveness and righteousness in Christ (1 John 1:9) encourage you to approach God boldly, even after you stumble? [23:55]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being righteousness-conscious rather than sin-conscious. What practical steps can you take to remind yourself of your new identity in Christ daily? [39:56]
6. How can you apply the concept of "waking up to righteousness" in your interactions with others, especially when you are tempted to judge or criticize them? [40:34]
7. Identify one area of your life where you need to embrace your identity as the righteousness of God in Christ. What specific actions will you take this week to live out this truth? [41:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Gifted Righteousness Transforms Lives
Righteousness is a divine gift, not a human achievement. It is the understanding that one's right standing with God comes through faith in Christ, not through personal efforts or moral accomplishments. This gift of righteousness is a cornerstone of Christian faith, altering one's perspective on life and enabling a confident walk with God. It is a transformative truth that, when fully grasped, releases believers from the burden of striving for acceptance and allows them to rest in the finished work of Jesus. This rest produces a life marked by spiritual confidence and joy, as one is no longer bound by the fear of falling short but is uplifted by the assurance of God's unmerited favor. [16:27]
"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: How does understanding your righteousness as a gift from God change the way you approach your relationship with Him and with others?
Day 2: Embracing Our Righteous Identity
The revelation of our righteousness in Christ is a powerful force that shifts our focus from our own shortcomings to the sufficiency of God's grace. It is the knowledge that our standing with God is not based on our fluctuating performance but on the steadfast sacrifice of Jesus. This revelation is vital for a healthy spiritual life, as it assures us that we are always welcome in God's presence, even when we stumble. It is a liberating truth that encourages believers to approach God with boldness and without fear, knowing that their relationship with Him is secure. This security fosters a deeper intimacy with God and a more resilient faith, as believers are reminded that their acceptance by God is irrevocable. [24:33]
"But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it." - Romans 3:21 ESV
Reflection: When you make a mistake, how does the knowledge of your secure standing in Christ affect your response to God and to the situation?
Day 3: Freed from Guilt and Unworthiness
Being established in righteousness means embracing a new identity in Christ, one that is not tainted by past sins but is defined by the righteousness imparted by God. This deep revelation frees individuals from the chains of guilt and unworthiness, allowing them to live in the freedom that Christ has secured. It is an understanding that changes the narrative of one's life from being a perpetual sinner to being a saint who occasionally sins but is fundamentally righteous in God's eyes. This new narrative empowers believers to live out their true identity, shedding the weight of condemnation and embracing the joy of salvation. It is a freedom that enables believers to pursue a life of holiness, not out of fear or obligation, but from a place of gratitude and love for God. [36:45]
"To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." - Revelation 1:5b-6 ESV
Reflection: In what ways can you start living more fully in the freedom of your new identity in Christ today?
Day 4: Standing Firm Against Accusations
The enemy's tactics often involve accusations that aim to undermine a believer's sense of worthiness and acceptance by God. However, when one is firmly established in their righteousness in Christ, they can confidently refute the devil's lies. This knowledge of right standing with God equips believers with authority in spiritual warfare and assurance in their prayers. It is a protective shield that guards against the enemy's attacks, ensuring that believers remain steadfast in their faith and secure in their identity. This assurance is not just a defensive mechanism but also an offensive tool that empowers believers to live out their calling with boldness and to extend the kingdom of God with conviction. [29:54]
"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one." - Ephesians 6:16 ESV
Reflection: How can you apply your understanding of righteousness to overcome feelings of unworthiness or guilt that the enemy might use against you?
Day 5: Righteousness as a Daily Reality
The concept of righteousness is not meant to be an abstract theological idea but a practical reality that influences everyday life. Awakening to righteousness leads to a life of holiness that is driven not by obligation but by a genuine desire to honor God. This empowerment comes from a deep understanding of one's identity in Christ and the work He has accomplished. It is a call to live out the implications of the gospel in every aspect of life, allowing the truth of who we are in Christ to shape our actions, decisions, and relationships. This daily walk in righteousness is a journey of growth, where each step is taken in the assurance of God's love and the power of His Spirit working within us. [41:07]
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." - Galatians 5:24 ESV
Reflection: What is one practical way you can honor God with your actions today, as a reflection of your righteousness in Christ?
Quotes
"When you start living your life with the understanding you've been made right with God and your rightness with God is not based on your behavior, it's not based on your goodness... it changes your entire perspective on life and empowers us to live confidently in our relationship with God." [16:27]
"The ear heartfelt prayer of a man who is in right standing with God makes much power available that's dynamic in its working. What if you started believing that you're right with God and since you are, God always hears and answers your prayers? Your prayers are effectual, your prayers make tremendous power available." [31:14]
"God wants us to become established in righteousness... In righteousness you will be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you... God wants you and I to become established in this righteousness that God has imputed to us through Christ." [36:45]
"Many Christians are established in the idea that we are sinners saved by grace... but the moment you got saved by grace, you became a new creation in Christ Jesus... you are the righteousness of God in Christ, you are in right standing with God. That's how I walk through life." [38:05]
"Righteousness means to be made right with God. It means that I have a right standing with the father through the Lord Jesus Christ... if you know you're right with him, wow, you're confident. You actually enjoy getting into his presence. You do want to run to him because you're right with him." [29:18]
"He who knew no sin was made to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in him... telling you more about who you are now that you are in Christ, telling you more about the impact of what Christ did for us on the cross, the impact that it has on your life." [11:32]
"Instead of getting down on yourself whenever you sin... instead of drawing away from God because I've sinned, what you do is go running into God, confess that sin, and know that when you do, he's faithful and just to forgive you of that and to cleanse you from all unrighteousness." [24:33]
"Salvation isn't just about the life that is to come; salvation is also about the life that is right now. It should impact your world right now. What God did for you in Christ changes everything, not just eternally but even right now while we're in this world, in this life." [13:23]
"The greatest transaction the world has ever known took place on the cross... Jesus took upon himself all of our sin, paid the penalty for our sin through his suffering and death, so that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ." [25:51]
"Righteousness is this simple: it means that I have a right standing with the father through the Lord Jesus Christ... think about how that affects your relationship with God, your confidence before God if you know you're right with him." [28:37]
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