“For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” But the righteousness of faith speaks… “_ _ (Romans 10:5–6)
Let me say something about faith. You cannot have faith without speaking it. When you study Romans 10, you will notice that it says that “the righteousness which is of the law…does…but the righteousness of faith speaks.” The law is about doing, whereas faith is about speaking. It is not enough to just know in your mind that you are righteous. It is not enough to just read or hear a sermon on righteousness and mentally agree that you are righteous. You need to open your mouth and say by faith, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.”* (2 Corinthians 5:21). This is where many believers are missing out on the blessing of Abraham. They are not speaking their righteousness by faith.
Your first response to a trying situation is very important. Your first response when you discover a symptom in your body, when you receive a bad report or when you are faced with a trial should always be to say, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Come on now; this is where the rubber meets the road. This is when you need to speak it. You need to not only know that you are righteous but also believe and speak your righteousness in Christ. It is not faith until you speak it! Paul said, “And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak” (2 Corinthians 4:13). The spirit of faith is clearly about believing and speaking. So it does not matter how many sermons or books on righteousness you have heard and read. You need to believe it and speak it.
When you fail and fall short of the law’s perfect standard, that is the time you should exercise your faith to say, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) At that very moment, when you are seething in anger at your spouse or when you have just lost your cool on the road, it takes faith to say that you are righteous because you know that you have missed it. And you know what? The moment you say it, even if you are still in the midst of your anger, you will feel like you have ushered something good into that situation. You take a step back and start to relax, and the anger dissipates as you begin to realize your true identity in Christ.
Men, what is your first response if you see a scantily clad woman on television or on the cover of a magazine and you are tempted? Are you sin-conscious or righteousness-conscious? Sin-consciousness will draw you to succumb to temptation, whereas righteousness-consciousness gives you the power to overcome every temptation. That is why the enemy wants to keep you sin-conscious. Confessing your sins all the time keeps you sin-conscious. It is as if Jesus did not become your sin on the cross. Sin-consciousness develops weakness and fear in your heart and life. It makes you fearful; thus, you succumb to every temptation. Righteousness-consciousness keeps you conscious of Jesus. Righteousness-consciousness develops faith and gives you the strength to overcome every situation. Every time you speak it, you magnify the work of Jesus on the cross. So, believe and speak the truth: “I am the righteousness of God in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Then, you cannot help but see the results of magnifying the Lord Jesus and His finished work!
Prayer & Meditation
Father, because of Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for me at the cross, I am always righteous in Your sight. So, help me always be mindful of my everlasting righteousness in Christ and confess it in every situation I face. Because I am righteous in Christ, I am empowered by Your Spirit to overcome every challenge and reign in life! I declare I AM THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. (2 Corinthians 5:21). Amen.
Contributor
By Gilbert Magomere Ayieko
Minister
