Today, we gathered to remember and celebrate the goodness of God, the depth of His grace, and the power of His righteousness revealed through Jesus Christ. Our worship was filled with songs declaring God’s goodness and greatness, reminding us that our lives are meant to be a living story of His grace and glory. We invited the Holy Spirit to move among us, to fill us afresh, and to empower us to live surrendered lives that honor God in every breath and every moment.
As we shared communion, we reflected on the simplicity and profundity of Jesus’ sacrifice. We remembered that our salvation is not based on our own efforts or achievements, but on trusting in the finished work of Christ. Jesus Himself said that the work God desires is simply to believe in the One He has sent. In this posture of faith, we brought our needs, our families, and our communities before God, trusting Him to move and minister in every situation, no matter how impossible it may seem.
We also marked significant milestones in our church family, celebrating years of God’s faithfulness and looking forward to what He will do in the coming season. We were encouraged to continue seeking first the kingdom of God, especially as we approach the busy end-of-year period, and to join together in prayer and worship with other churches in our city.
Turning to the Word, we began a new series on the righteousness of God. Paul’s words in Romans remind us that the gospel is not merely about the love of God, but about the revelation of His righteousness. God’s love is not expressed at the expense of His righteousness, but within its context. Jesus’ death on the cross was necessary to uphold God’s uprightness, making it possible for us to become the righteousness of God through faith.
We explored how true righteousness is not about external adherence to the law or religious achievement, but about a transformation that comes from God. Paul, once a Pharisee who prided himself on his own righteousness, came to see all his achievements as worthless compared to knowing Christ and being found in Him. Through the divine exchange at the cross, Jesus became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. This truth calls us to live out our identity in Christ, not compromising or settling for less, but embracing the journey of becoming who God has declared us to be.
Key Takeaways
- 1. God’s Love Is Revealed in Righteousness God’s love is not expressed by ignoring His righteousness, but within its context. The cross demonstrates that God’s justice and love are inseparable—Jesus bore our sin so that God’s righteousness would be upheld and we could be made right with Him. This challenges us to see the gospel as more than just love; it is the revelation of a holy, just, and loving God. [56:07]
- 2. True Righteousness Comes by Faith, Not Achievement Paul’s journey shows that no amount of religious effort or spiritual achievement can make us righteous before God. Only by trusting in Christ and receiving His righteousness by faith can we stand justified. This invites us to lay down our striving and rest in the sufficiency of Jesus’ finished work, finding our identity in Him rather than in our own performance. [66:58]
- 3. The Divine Exchange: Christ Became Sin for Us At the heart of the gospel is a profound exchange—Jesus, who knew no sin, was made to be sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. This truth is not just theological; it is deeply personal and transformative. It means our failures and imperfections are met with God’s grace, and we are called to live out this new identity with confidence and gratitude. [70:26]
- 4. Living Out Our Identity as the Righteous Knowing we are the righteousness of God in Christ should shape how we live. We are called to embody this truth, refusing to compromise or live below our calling. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit and walk by faith, righteousness becomes not just a status, but our very DNA, transforming our actions, relationships, and purpose. [73:27]
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