Bold from Knowing We Are Righteous
ICS Daily Devotions
Romans 5:16-18 (NKJV) And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgement which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgement came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.
Sin came into this world through one man’s offense. The sin nature that Adam brought into our lives resulted in condemnation because all of us have sinned against God, but justification was also obtained through the righteous act of one Man—Jesus Christ. Justification means being made righteous, and Jesus’ righteous act has given us the ability to stand before God, just like we have never sinned. This righteous position before God is a gift from God through Jesus Christ, which is why the Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 1:3 that we are blessed with all the spiritual blessings in Christ. Because we are hidden in Christ, we are accepted in the Beloved and seen as righteous in Him. When we receive a gift, it is purely because of the decision of the giver. We don’t have to work for it because it is given out of grace. We receive wages for working, but something would not be a gift if we had worked for it. Therefore, the gift of righteousness is purely given to us based on the abundance of God’s grace so that nobody can boast of His work, His act of goodness or servanthood.
Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV) And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
The “new man” is the person who is born-again—a new creation. This new creation in the “spirit man” is created in true righteousness and holiness. The new creation realities and positional truth are given to us, and we are accounted as righteous the moment we believe in Jesus and in God’s salvation plan just as Abraham and David believed and were accounted as righteous. This newfound position of righteousness in God’s sight grants us boldness to approach God anytime and anywhere, and when you know that you are created in true holiness and righteousness and seen as righteous before God in the new creation, you will behave righteously.
We cannot do great exploits or adventures with and for God if we are constantly feeling condemned for our past sins, but when we know how God looks at us in Christ, we will be bold to execute anything that God has instructed us to do, especially when we know that we are walking in His perfect will. Our faith will rise with the conviction that God sees us righteous in Christ, not based on our own strength but because of the gift of God through Jesus Christ. The breastplate of righteousness was given to us after the work of redemption by Jesus Christ, and it gives us boldness.
Sermon Series: Great Adventures and Great Exploits
