From Self-Conscious to Righteousness-Conscious
ICS Daily Devotions

Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Most people are self-conscious. For example, we will make sure we look presentable before an important meeting, but are you also self-coconscious when it comes to meeting with God?

Some Christians believe that the states of their lives or their lifestyles make them unworthy to approach God. Meanwhile, some measure their worthiness based on their performance against the law, which sadly is doomed to fail because nobody can measure up to God’s standard completely, for it is written in Romans 3:23 (NJKV) “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. Therefore, we should stop using our own strength to try and obtain a right standing before God. Instead, we need to have a paradigm shift from being self-conscious to righteousness-conscious—conscious of who we are in Christ, so we can approach the throne of grace with confidence and boldness.

Philippians 3:9 (NKJV) And be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

Just as Abel had faith that the atonement by the blood of an animal enabled him to approach God, we should also have faith that we are accepted and seen as righteous in Christ to approach the Heavenly Father daily. Our ability to approach the throne boldly is based on our righteousness in Christ—the righteousness which is from God by faith, and not by the works of the law. It is impossible to obtain righteousness based on our own strength. All our righteousness acts are like filthy rags before God (Isaiah 64:6).

We need to have the conviction that we are saved purely by the grace of God; there is nothing we can do to make Him love us more and nothing we have done that will make Him love me less. This biblical conviction is established on the following truths.

In Christ, I have become the righteousness of God because God has made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for me. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

In Christ, I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace. (Ephesians 1:7)

In Christ, I am freely justified by His grace through His redemption. (Romans 3:24)

In Christ, I have been made accepted by God the Father. (Ephesians 1:6)

In Christ, I am reconciled to Himself for He has made peace through the blood of His Cross. (Colossians 1:20)

We have boldness to enter God’s presence through the blood of Jesus Christ—a new and living way, which He consecrated for us, through the veil, which is His flesh—knowing that our Heavenly Father will accept us based on Christ’s achievement.

Sermon Series: The Power of the Blood