Listen

Sprinkler System Sanctification

Read

RIGHTEOUSNESS IS A GIFT

In regards to the renewing of the mind, one of the most important truths is understanding that righteousness is a gift of God. I believe one of God’s greatest desires is for us to believe that our identity and nature are now like Jesus and no longer like the sinner and pauper so many have long identified as.

The reason this is so important is because it has often been taught that we as Christians have a dual nature. The conclusion is that since we retain the capacity to sin, we must still have a sinful nature that is warring against God’s imputed righteousness. The belief is that since the majority of Christians seem to still be bound in sinful habits, there must be a sinful nature at work within each of us. If Christians are convinced that they still have a sinful nature, it should be no surprise when they constantly struggle with sin. Because they believe they are sinful, they manifest sin. And because they manifest sin, it becomes necessary for church leaders to address, manage, and control these sinful behaviors through programs, accountability,

and church discipline. The underlying belief amongst believers and in many churches is that the more spiritually disciplined you are, the more people you have around you, and the greater the accountability you have, the more freedom you will experience. They begin to quantify spiritual maturity and freedom by how much control one has over their carnal desires. Their right standing with God hinges on the spiritual disciplines, accountability, and fellowship. People are taught that the more consistent, faithful, and wholehearted you are, the more you will be made righteous. This legalistic church mindset is reminiscent to what Paul found in the Galatian church: “Are you so foolish? Having begun in the spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3).

If we advocate that our entrance into the Kingdom and birth into the New Covenant is received by grace through faith and that nothing can take away the promise of eternal life, we must also wholeheartedly subscribe to the belief that our growth and maturity happens the same way. The Bible addresses this point with some very strong language.

If you have been taught that your righteousness is contingent on your spiritual discipline, then you have been deceived. If you have believed that, since you struggle with sin after becoming a believer, you are “less” righteous in any way, then you have been deceived. The Christian that continues to struggle (I repeat, struggle) with sin is no less righteous than the brother or sister who has perfectly lived in piety and purity for 20 years. Why? Because the righteousness of God is a gift given to us by God. It is not a position we can earn or achieve. If we could overcome sin merely through spiritual discipline, then Christ died for no reason. It is through faith that one experiences the manifestation of God’s righteousness in their actual thoughts and behavior.

Take day 28 to yourself.