Ephesians 4:20-24: You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Last week the I focused on the phrase to be made new in the attitude of your minds.
This week I want to focus on one particular area of great importance in which believers need to be made new in the attitude of their minds. Paul makes reference in this passage to putting off the old self, and then putting on the new self, which is created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. An understanding of true righteousness is vital for a believer to walk successfully in the power of the Spirit.
Paul said in II Corinthians 5:21, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
At Calvary Jesus took all of the sin of the world upon himself. He took all of your sin, and all of my sin, and he paid the price in full for our redemption. He took our sin and gave us his righteousness.
Sin separates us from God. We do not have access to the throne of God in our sin, but the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and restores us to a place of righteousness in him.
Righteousness means that we have a place of right standing before God. In the spiritual world we have legal standing to come boldly to the throne of God, because we stand before God as if we had never sinned, because we stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.
We understand that as long as we live in a frail human body in this broken world, we will have to deal with the weaknesses of the flesh and the temptation of sin. However, the enemy has succeeded in keeping the church captive to a consciousness of sin. We see ourselves as sinners, but rarely do we see ourselves as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Frequently, believers approach prayer with a deep consciousness of sin, which produces an attitude of unworthiness, which causes them to come before God expecting nothing. We feel that we deserve nothing from God.
As a sinner we deserve nothing from God. But that is not the point. Jesus died to make you worthy. It seems religious to some to continue to act unworthy before God. But, in reality it is a religious spirit, that is demonic and detestable in the sight of God. To act unworthy, when Jesus shed his blood to make you worthy, is like spitting in God's face, and saying, "My sin is more powerful than the blood of your Son."
We must continue to practice the truth of I John 1:9, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. But after we confess our sins and receive his forgiveness, then we stand before God clothed with the righteousness of Jesus. We stand before God with expectant faith, because he commanded us to come boldly before the throne of grace to receive mercy and grace to help in the time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
I want to challenge you to make yourself new in the attitude of your mind regarding true righteousness. Jesus took your sin, that he might give you his righteousness. Here are some verses I challenge you to meditate upon for thirty days.
Romans 3:21-22: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.
Romans 5:17: For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16: For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
II Corinthians 5:21, God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Man still strives to justify himself before God. Man still tries to do something to make up for his sin. When will we learn? We cannot earn the salvation of God. It is a gift of his grace.
Satan works diligently to keep the church bound to the consciousness of sin. Why? Because the church is weak and impotent when the church constantly dwells on thoughts of unworthiness. But, once again, how unworthy we are is not the point. JESUS MADE US WORTHY! That is the point. Through the shedding of his blood, he restored us to a place of fellowship with the Father, and to a place of dominion and authority in the kingdom of God. That is the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Yes, sin is still working to ensnare you. But, guard your heart. When you do stumble, practice I John 1:9. But then rise up and act like Romans 5:17 is actually true. God has called you to rule and to reign in life through God's abundant provision of grace and through the gift of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ
Be made new in the attitude of your mind. Choose to focus your thoughts on the righteousness of God. It is amazing. The more you choose to think about his righteousness, the more righteous you will begin to act.
If you are a believer, that gift of righteousness already belongs to you. Today, begin to enjoy the benefits of putting on the new man in true righteousness and holiness.
Wayne L. Williams
wayne@fotwm.org