Righteous
“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
Righteous is a word we don’t use in every day language, unless it was the Eighties…or if it’s used in negative connotations with “self righteous”. Let’s look at the definition of Righteousness used here.
RIGHTEOUSNESS | noun | the quality of being morally right or justifiable | innocence, reverent
One of the reasons why I really wanted to dive into our identity in Christ…is because I truly don’t look at myself “in Christ”. In this example, when I think of myself, I don’t think “morally right or justifiable”. When I look at myself, I see the sinner, but 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, Jesus took on our sins, so we might become righteousness of God “in Him”.
Trust me, as I’m writing this…I’m trying to get it…but it’s not sinking 100% into my heart. It’s hard to imagine…it’s finished. It was finished on the cross. It’s been done. Christ doesn’t need to be crucified daily for our sins…we’re forgiven right now.
When someone is declared innocent in a courtroom, their shackles are taken off, and they can walk out of the courtroom as a freed person. They don’t go back to jail. They don’t put handcuffs back on. They are free.
Although, even if they walk out of the courtroom free, sometimes the shame is heavy to bear and they walk around “in shackles”.
How about those who have murdered someone and are found guilty? It’s hard to wrap our heads around it, but they are also innocent. Jesus didn’t die on the cross for those who are without sin, but all of us. Jesus doesn’t say no to anyone who wants to be forgiven. Even if they don’t ask, they are forgiven.
Let’s read 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.”
Isn’t this so comforting? If we even catch a glimpse of what Jesus did on the cross, don’t you feel the need to let everyone know about attaining freedom?
Let’s read the context surrounding our verse, 2 Corinthians 5:20-6:1: “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, to be reconciled with God.We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.”
Lord, I am truly humbled by the thought of your son dying on the cross for my sins. I want to know in my heart of hearts this truth. My identity is Righteous…Innocent…without Blame in Christ. Thank you for your forgiveness. Thank you that you don’t count how many times I sin a day, thank you that you’ll never say no to forgiveness. May I become an ambassador for you to proclaim your goodness. My hope is for everyone to know the freedom you have for us. May we work together to free others who are shackled by thinking they are still guilty. In Christ’s Name, Amen.
