Born-again believers live in an environment completely ignorant of the things of God. The world has no concept of being righteous and upstanding before Him. Religion gives us a long list of things to do to be accepted by others, but this is simply relying on our own works instead of on God. The focus is on what we do, not on who we are, but everything changes when we listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us.
The Spirit of Grace ministering to us reminds us that we’re already righteous. He reveals to us our family ties to God. Our faith in His grace frees us from useless self-efforts to please others. All who believe and accept Jesus have received the right to be children of God.
Our Father loves us so much that He calls us His children, which is what we are. However, those who belong to the world don’t recognize this because they don’t know Him. As His dear children we must remain in fellowship with Christ, our older brother, so that when He returns, we’ll be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame. Christ is righteous; therefore, all who do what’s right are God’s children.
Belief in our identity in Jesus makes us righteous without the need to work hard to earn it. All who believe in Him are made right with God. Religion preaches the law, which requires us to do something to earn our righteousness; this mindset is the number one enemy to God’s favor.
To him who works, the reward isn’t reckoned of grace, but of debt. By contrast, to him who doesn’t work but simply believes on the one who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. When Jesus ended the law as a means of governing how we live, He replaced it with the Hoy Ghost. Letting Him minister to us is vastly better.
Prayer:
Lord, we could never do enough on our own to make ourselves righteous in Your eyes. However, our belief in Jesus and in His finished works not only makes us righteous by faith, but also makes us Your children. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scriptures:
John 1:12, NLT
1 John 3:1, 2, NLT
1 John 2:28, 29, NLT
Romans 10:4, NLT
Romans 4:4, 5