You Are the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus

Benefits of Righteousness Part 2

[Rom 8:14-17; 2Pet 1:3-4; Gal 2:20; 1Jn 1:7,9]

Occasionally when one is asked how they are doing, the reply is something like: “Well, under the circumstances, I may make it.”

Circumstantial evidence may not prove that you are a believer. We walk by faith, not by sight.

As a Christian, thank God, you do not have to be under the circumstances. You can make circumstances great with your words. You have the abundance of God’s grace and His gift of righteousness. You are to reign in this life by Jesus Christ.

You can be the circumstances for some poor lost, dying sinner out there, instead of being ineffective by your words.

No Inferiority

They call this an inferiority complex, but it isn’t complicated at all, it’s just a lie of the devil.

Because you have a right standing with God, you do not have to feel inferior to the power and suggestions of satan. You are an heir of God and a joint-heir with Christ (Rom 8:14-17).

Rom 8:14-17 (NASB) – [14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. [15] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

“Being led by the Spirit of God” is a present passive verb, which describes a continual drawing by the Spirit. The Spirit woos us to Christ (cf. Jn 6:44,65) and then conforms Christ (the anointing) in us (cf. Rom 8:29-30). (When I intercede for the lost, I ask for a courtship of Holy Spirit with the lost soul.) There is more to Christianity than a decision. It really is an ongoing discipleship (cf. Mt 28:19) that begins with a decision (cf. Rom 10:9-13; Jn 1:12; 3:16). Being led by the Spirit does not refer to a special event, or ministry, but our daily activities.

“Sons and daughters of God” the Greek term huioi (sons) is used, in Rom 8:16, tekna (children). They are synonymous in this context. Believers are no longer slaves but family members (cf. Rom 8:15-17; Gal 4:7).

There are several places in Paul’s writings where “a spirit” is used to describe what Holy Spirit produces in the individual believer.

• here “not a spirit of slavery,” but “a spirit of adoption,” Rom 8:15
• “a spirit of gentleness,” 1Cor 4:21
• “a spirit of faith” (faithfulness), 2Cor 4:13
• “a spirit of wisdom and of revelation,” Eph 1:17
• “not a spirit of timidity,” 2Tim 1:7

There are other places where Paul uses pneuma to refer to himself (cf. 1Cor 2:11; 5:3,14; 7:34; 16:8; and Col 2:5). In this context Rom 8:10 and 15 fit this category best.

Roman law made “adoption as sons” very difficult, but once done, it was permanent (cf. Gal 4:4-6). This metaphor supports the theological truth of the security of the believer (see, Adoption outline).

As you receive the righteousness of God, you become partakers of the divine nature of God (2Pet 1:3-4).

2Pet 1:3-4 (NASB) – [3] for His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. [4] Through these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world on account of lust.

God provides “everything pertaining to life” for eternal life (i.e., zoe). True knowledge is faith in Jesus Christ that effects daily living. Believers have all they need spiritually in Christ! We don’t need to look any place else for a deeper truth experience!

• His strength has become your strength.
• His ability is your ability.
• His life is your life.
• His life is not inferior, it is superior!

“Through these He has granted us” The Father’s divine power has given, and continues to give believers all they need both initially (justification) and continually (sanctification) by means of His promises.

These “precious and magnificent promises” refers to the gospel, whereby believers become “partakers of the divine nature” (i.e., the indwelling Holy Spirit). Our hope is the steadfast and gracious character of God, expressed through His promises in the OT, and especially in Christ Jesus.

Gal 2:20 (NASB) –“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

“I have been crucified with Christ” In the Greek sentence, “with Christ” is placed first for emphasis. The verb (a perfect passive indicative) implies that something happened in the past with abiding results and was accomplished by an outside agent.

Paul uses the term “crucified” in Gal 5:24 and 6:14, which relates to the believer’s relationship with this fallen world system. However, the emphasis here seems to be the believer’s connection to the Law (cf. Gal 3:13). It is important to remember that once we have died with Christ, we are alive to God (cf. Gal 2:19; Rom 6:10). This concept is emphasized over and over again as;

• our responsibility to walk as He walked (cf. 1Jn 1:7)
• and that we ought to walk worthy of the calling wherewith we have been called (cf. Eph 4:1,17; 5:2)

Once we know Christ in free forgiveness, it is important that we live as a responsible servant (cf. Col 2:12-14, 20; 3:1-4; and 2Cor 5:14-15).

“Christ lives in me” Jesus is often said to indwell believers (cf. Mt. 28:20; Jn 14:23 [Jesus and the Father]; Rom 8:10; Col 1:27). This is often associated with the ministry of Holy Spirit (cf. Rom 8:9,11; 1Cor 3:16; 6:19; 2Tim 1:14). The work of the Spirit is to magnify and reproduce the Son in believers (cf. Jn 16:7-15; Rom 8:28-29; Gal 4:19).

“I live by faith” This Greek word pistis (noun) and pisteuô (verb) can also be translated “trust,” or “believe,” used mainly to emphasize our trust in God’s trustworthiness or our faith in God’s faithfulness. This faith is our initial response to God’s promises, followed by a continual walk in those promises. “Faith” is used in three senses in the NT.

• personal trust
• trustworthy living
• a reference to Christian doctrine (i.e., Acts 6:7; 13:8; 14:22; Gal 1:23; Jude 1:3 and 20)

Continual Cleansing From Unrighteousness

As a Christian, you may miss the mark and sin. Sin is unrighteousness. It cannot please God, and it must be dealt with. The best time to do this is immediately, if not sooner. Do not wait to repent.

The promise of God is, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to FORGIVE US OUR SINS and to CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS” (1Jn 1:9). “…the BLOOD of Jesus His Son CLEANSES us from all sin” (1Jn 1:7).

Many Benefits Of Righteousness;

• Right living (Rom 6:18-19; 7:4-6; 14:17).
• Eternal life (Rom 5:18; 6:22-23).
• Love and Mercy (Rom 5:6-11; 8:35-39; 9:14-18,25).

Declaration:

I can contribute to good circumstances for others, by being effective with my words that align with God’s Word.

The Father, has granted to me everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called me by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has granted to me His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them I have become a partaker of divine nature. Holy Spirit in me, causes me to escape the corruption that is in the world (2Pet 1:3-4).

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal 2:20).

I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! Amen!

God bless you my friend,

— Dwight Hammond