How often have you heard Christians say, “I’m just a
sinner saved by grace”? While this statement acknowledges God’s grace, it
often misses the profound truth of our identity in Christ. Yes, the Bible
says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans
3:23 NKJV) and “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans
3:10 NKJV). But these verses describe who we were before Christ—not
who we are now as His children.
If you’ve accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are no longer
defined by your sins or shortcomings. You are righteous—holy, blameless, and
fully accepted by God. This righteousness isn’t something you earn; it’s a gift
you receive through faith in Jesus.
The Story of the Prodigal Child
Let me share an example to illustrate this truth. Imagine a
grown child who brings shame to their family through a terrible mistake. The
parents are heartbroken, angry, and deeply disappointed. Their reputation in
the community is tarnished, and they feel utterly disgraced.
But despite their pain, these parents love their child
deeply. They don’t want to lose them. Meanwhile, the child, overwhelmed by
guilt and shame, contemplates ending their life.
What do you think the parents will do? Will they abandon the
child or cut off the relationship? No. Loving parents will do everything in
their power to save their child, welcome them back into the family, and restore
the relationship.
This is a picture of God’s love for us. No matter how far we
fall or how much we mess up, our Heavenly Father’s love for us never changes.
He doesn’t cut us off or abandon us. Instead, He runs to us, embraces us, and
restores us.
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that
while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
You Are Righteous in Christ
When we accept Jesus as our Savior, something miraculous
happens. Our sins are forgiven, and we’re clothed in His righteousness.
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that
we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21
(NKJV)
This means that when God looks at you, He doesn’t see your
sins or failures. He sees the perfection of Jesus. You are holy, blameless, and
righteous in His eyes.
Does this mean we’ll never sin again? No. We’re still human,
and we’ll still make mistakes. But our sins don’t define us anymore. Our
identity is no longer “sinner”—it’s “righteous.”
The Enemy’s Trap of Condemnation
One of the enemy’s favorite tactics is to twist Scripture to
make us feel unworthy, guilty, or condemned. He’ll remind us of our past
mistakes, our current struggles, and our imperfections. He’ll whisper, “You’re
not good enough. You’re still a sinner. God can’t use you.”
But these are lies. The Bible says, “There is
therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans
8:1 NKJV). When we fall into the trap of condemnation, we’re believing the
enemy’s lies instead of God’s truth.
Here’s how to combat these lies:
- Stand
on God’s Word: Declare Scriptures like 2 Corinthians 5:21 and Romans
8:1 over your life.
- Reject
Condemnation: When feelings of guilt or shame arise, remind yourself
that you are righteous in Christ.
- Focus
on God’s Love: Meditate on the truth that God loves you
unconditionally and has made you righteous through Jesus.
Righteousness Doesn’t Give License to Sin
Some people worry that emphasizing our righteousness in
Christ might lead to complacency or sin. They ask, “If we’re already
righteous, does that mean we can do whatever we want?”
Absolutely not. The Bible is clear that grace is not a
license to sin.
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that
grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer
in it?” — Romans 6:1-2 (NKJV)
Our righteousness in Christ isn’t an excuse to sin—it’s a
motivation to live a life that honors God. When we truly understand how much He
loves us and what He’s done for us, we’ll want to live in a way that pleases
Him.
Living in the Truth of Your Righteousness
Knowing that you are righteous in Christ changes everything.
It frees you from guilt, shame, and the pressure to perform. Here’s how you can
live in this truth:
- Declare
Your Righteousness: Speak Scriptures like 2 Corinthians 5:21 and
Romans 8:1 over your life daily.
- Walk
in Confidence: Live boldly, knowing that you are fully accepted and
loved by God.
- Pursue
Holiness: Let your righteousness in Christ inspire you to live a life
that reflects His love and grace.
- Share
the Good News: Tell others about the freedom and joy that comes from
being made righteous in Christ.
A Message of Encouragement
If you’ve been struggling with guilt, shame, or feelings of
unworthiness, take heart. God says you are righteous—not because of anything
you’ve done, but because of what Jesus has done for you. His sacrifice on the
cross was enough to make you holy, blameless, and fully accepted by God.
“For by one offering He has perfected forever those who
are being sanctified.” — Hebrews 10:14 (NKJV)
You don’t have to live under the weight of condemnation
anymore. In Christ, you are righteous. Walk in that truth today!
Call-to-Action
What does being “righteous in Christ” mean to you? How has
this truth changed the way you see yourself? Share your thoughts and
experiences in the comments below. Let’s encourage one another to live in the
freedom and confidence of our identity in Christ!
Remember, you are righteous—not by your own efforts, but by
the finished work of Jesus. Walk in that truth today!
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