Embrace the Righteousness of God as Yours

This week, I want to highlight a gift that brings peace, reveals your identity, and gives you freedom to fulfill your destiny. One of the very first concepts I struggled with as a Christian was being “righteous”. The Greek word dikaiosyne means being declared right or innocent before God, both legally and relationally. In our human frailty, to be righteous before God can seem overwhelming, but it is a gift that empowers us to live a new and exciting life in Christ!

Romans 8:30 declares, “Having determined our destiny ahead of time, He called us to Himself and transferred His perfect righteousness to everyone He called. And those who possess His perfect righteousness He co-glorified with His Son!” This verse declares predestination, vocation, justification and glorification. Your life in Christ is so significant that God planned it long before you were born. He created you with unique design and talents to equip you to change and influence your world, which means all your experiences have purpose. You are forgiven. Your past does not have to restrain you; it empowers you to grow in wisdom and anointing as you view your life through the lens of God’s word. All of this is culminated in the fact that God is calling you to the same relational place as Jesus, right next to Him and has given you everything you need to be seated there.

So, why aren’t we experiencing this dynamic life and power? Old mindsets, pride, guilt, insecurity, and self-life mentioned in Galatians 5:16-17,19-21 are barriers, but when we truly embrace the gift found in Romans 8:30, we can soar above it (Gal. 5:18)! Our natural minds can make “righteousness’ seem unattainable, but our faith in God’s word and promises rise above feelings of inadequacy. Believe that you are who God says you are. Pursue your relationship with Him above all else, knowing that when we fall, we learn and are embraced with love, mercy, and grace.

God’s gift to you is peace in every circumstance. Negativity and frustration are not part of who you are. They are results of wrong thinking. You are in right standing with God when you realize that He is God and you are His child; “…all that matters now is living in the faith that works and expresses itself in love” (Gal 5:6b). God wants the best for you. He loves and delights in you. You are perfect in God’s sight and all He wants from you is love.