One of the most profound truths of the Gospel is that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Who do you say you are?
Many people struggle with the idea that righteousness is a gift and not a reward for good behavior. However, Scripture makes it clear that righteousness is not a product of our works but of what Christ has done for us (Romans 3:22-24). We need to accept the gift, and it’s only after we accept it, that we will behave like it.
One of the strongest tendencies in human nature is to act according to what we believe about ourselves. “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). If we do not believe that we have become righteous through Christ, we will never live in the reality of that righteousness. Our identity shapes our actions.
We cannot produce something we do not have.
But if we believe that we are still sinners at the core, we will continue to struggle with sin. Our actions follow our identity. This is why we need righteousness consciousness, not sin consciousness. This I believe is the greatest deception by the devil.
Breaking Free from Sin Consciousness
Unfortunately, many preachers focus more on making believers sin-conscious rather than righteousness-conscious. Constant messages of guilt and shame keep people trapped in cycles of defeat, rather than empowering them to walk in victory.
Under the Old Covenant, sins were merely covered by the blood of bulls and goats, but the people’s conscience remained burdened by sin (Hebrews 10:1-4). However, under the New Covenant, even the consciousness of sin is removed. The blood of Christ cleanses our conscience so that we can serve God freely (Hebrews 9:12-14).
Embracing Our True Identity
To live a victorious Christian life, we must shift our mindset. Instead of seeing ourselves as struggling sinners, we must see ourselves as the righteousness of God in Christ.
The more we meditate on who we are in Christ, the more our actions will align with His righteousness. We must renew our minds (Romans 12:2), focus on our new identity, and walk in the freedom Christ has given us.
Final Thought
If you believe you are righteous in Christ, you will live righteously. But if you believe you are still a sinner, you will continue in sin. Let’s walk in righteousness consciousness, knowing that Christ has made us new.
Leave a Reply