Good morning righteous ones!
2 Timothy 3:16 says,
- ALL SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS…
RIGHTEOUSNESS means integrity; virtue; purity of life; correctness of thinking, feeling, and acting; justification; learning to live in conformity to God’s will both publicly and privately; behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage.
Did you know that when you were born-again, you were MADE the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD? (See 2 Corinthians 5:21). HIS purity, HIS integrity, HIS virtue, and HIS correctness were placed on the inside of your spirit. These things are dwelling in you RIGHT NOW.
You may be asking, “Then how come I don’t feel righteous?” RIGHTEOUSNESS is not a feeling – it is a state of being. Jesus went to the cross to give you what He already possessed. He rose again so you could be recreated in His image.
So, when your alarm clock goes off tomorrow morning, do not just wake up to another day. Do what the Word tells us to do in 1 Corinthians 15:34,
- AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, and sin not.
Reawaken yourself to the glorious fact that you have been made the RIGHTEOUSNESS of God in Christ Jesus and have been given RIGHT-STANDING with Almighty God. Why? Because Satan is going to try to convince you that you do not have any right to the things of God. He is going to try to bring you into bondage to sin in order to control your life. But, he will not be able to do it if you will reawaken yourself to who you really are in Jesus!
Paul tells us in Philippians 3:9,
- …not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ; the RIGHTEOUSNESS which if from God by faith.
So, no matter how messed up things were yesterday, I want you to begin this day knowing that you are RIGHTEOUS! Not because of anything you have done, but because you have received, by faith in Jesus, the very RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD.
Let’s look at the kinds of benefits the Word of God says that RIGHTEOUSNESS will bring:
1. “The RIGHTEOUS shall flourish like the palm tree” (Psalm 92:12).
2. “When it goes well with the RIGHTEOUS, the city rejoices” (Proverbs 11:10).
3. “The seed of the RIGHTEOUS will be delivered” (Proverbs 11:21).
4. “For the eyes of the Lord are on the RIGHTEOUS, and His ears are open to their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12).
5. “For you, O LORD, will bless the RIGHTEOUS; with favor You will surround him as with a shield (Psalm 5:12).
6. “The RIGHTEOUS cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17).
7. “I have been young, and now am old; yet I have not seen the uncompromisingly RIGHTEOUS forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).
8. “The RIGHTEOUS shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever (Psalm 37:29).
9. “The Lord loves the RIGHTEOUS” (Psalm 146:8).
I encourage you to NOT let the devil rob you of even ONE of these blessings by telling you you are unworthy of them. Just step out in faith, knowing this is God’s will for you, and enjoy all the priviledges God has prepared for you.
Declare this with me out loud:
“Father, as a new creation in Christ Jesus, I accept the gift of RIGHTEOUSNESS and all that gift includes: health, prosperity, peace, joy, and abundant life. I lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily besets me. I look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of my faith. According to Your Word, I can now reign in this life as a king. The power of sin and death in my life has been overcome. No longer am I ruled by the forces of evil, but by the King of kings and the Lord of lords. I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me. I determine today to walk conscious of my right-standing with You, Lord, and with every step, to draw closer and closer to You. Thank You for the gift of RIGHTEOUSNESS. Because of that gift, I can do all things through Christ Jesus Who strengthens me, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Walking in His RIGHTEOUSNESS,
Lisa Gordon
Jesus City Church