Grace - A Short Conversation

I recently had a short conversation with a friend about righteousness and obedience. Righteousness in the Bible is defined as that which is conforming to God's law both in thought and action, thus meaning one is innocent and in no need of being rectified. However, OUR righteousness is defined by FAITH in Christ--meaning that we believed HE perfectly obeyed and has given us HIS righteousness. If we can rid ourselves of the misconception that our righteousness is derived by the Law, we will come to see that the power of sin and condemnation is ALREADY BROKEN in our lives.

Here is the conversation below, with my friend's text in bold print (I got permission to send this out):

Why do I not have to "get right" with God after I sin?

Because you are always righteous through Jesus Christ. Under the old covenant, a sacrifice had to be offered after each sin. Under the new covenant, Jesus is the one, perfect sacrifice.

How do you be righteous and still sin? It almost seems like you can sin any way you want and it not matter.

Because your righteousness is not based on how little you sin. Your righteous is literally the righteousness of Christ. It's unfortunate, but most Christians have been taught a performance-based Christianity and know little about Christ's work on their behalf. As for wanting to sin and get away with it, a Christian needs to understand two things:  just how forgiven they really are and the reality of the life of Christ in them.  After faith in these two things, they will not want to take advantage of that and sin.  The love of God which provided for our forgiveness and right-standing produces thankfulness in those who hear about it and receive it.  Thankfulness does not ask for a license to sin. And the Bible says that Christians don't have that kind of heart anyway; they have a new one. It's the mind that needs to be transformed. Your righteousness is by faith, not performance. Obedience is important, but it's not what makes you righteous.

So my righteousness comes from Christ alone? ...and so to receive and LIVE in righteousness, I need to have faith that HE is my righteousness. And I guess a transformed mind also comes by believing that I have a new mind in Christ.

Bingo.

I'm not sure I have that much faith. I want to say I do. Wait, do I have to have faith to get faith?

It's not an issue of how much faith one has, but rather in whom the faith is placed. Faith is a gift. Quit looking at yourself. Look at Jesus, who authored and perfected your faith. It's a gift.

That's cool. So I don't have to strive to get it; its given to me. And when I look to Jesus, I'm putting my faith in Him, and He continues to give.

Bingo. It's a Christ-centered faith and not a Christian-centered faith. Quit looking at yourself.

My friends, this is why the Gospel of the Grace of Jesus Christ is so important.  It sets people free.  Don't dilute the message; that'll only produce a diluted response.  I charge each and every one of you to allow Holy Spirit to reveal this gospel to you.  It is God's power for our salvation, because through it, He has shown us how we are made righteous.

Grace=Peace,

Jeremy