Thursday, March 29, 2012

Righteousness is a Gift!

Yesterday we started a DVD/CD study on Grace taught by Pastor Joseph Prince of New Creation Church in Singapore. Everyone left so uplifted and encouraged by the message. There were laughter, tears, dropped jaws and general excitement surrounding the revelation that the righteousness of God is a GIFT from Him, not based in any way on our own works or actions--it is a gift based solely on the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. 


This scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:12 NKJV is foundational: Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. Romans 8:32 tells us that He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all thingsThe Holy Spirit in us desires to reveal all of the rich treasures available to us in this free gift of God's righteousness.

We learned that God is not holding our sins against us, that He has declared us righteous through the blood of His son, Jesus, and that we receive this free gift of His righteousness by faith. He desires to freely give us ALL things, everything our heart desires, and He places no limits on that promise.

We also came to understand that the Holy Spirit is not wagging His finger at us, scolding us for our sins but is constantly convicting us of this gift of righteousness--God's gift of righteousness and NOT our own works or self righteousness. There is a big difference. Think about what you've been taught all of your life. If you've been taught to see yourself as a sinner, to examine your past and present sins and be afraid of any future sins you may commit, to always be sin conscious, to be guilty and feel unworthy before God, to be afraid to talk to Him or ask Him for all and any things you want or need, to sense that He is mad or displeased with you, then you are not walking in the revelation of this free gift of righteousness from God. Receive it and walk in it and stop feeling guilty and condemned!

Believe in big and miraculous things, not because you deserve it or have earned it, but because you are righteous before God, just as righteous as Jesus! You are His child and a member of His body, joint heirs with Him, destined to rule and reign.

When you reduce righteousness down to a free gift based on the work of Jesus and not based on any work done on your part, the Gospel becomes very easy - and exciting. All we have to do is believe it! Believe it, confess it, and walk in it. Thank you Jesus, and Amen!