Righteousness The Process

“Righteousness” 

The Process of Righteousness

Acts 26:17-18 (NLT) “Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles 18 to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God.  Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in Me.”

• Blind to the truth.

• Ignorant of God’s ways.

• Motivated by the desires of our flesh.

“Our salvation moment was only meant to be the beginning of our incredible new life in Christ, not the whole thing!”

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV) As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts… 4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions… 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. 

When God deposited His righteous nature in us it…

A.  Gave us the ability to DO righteous works.

B.  Gave us the ability to BE righteous people. 

So often we are CONSISTENTLY…inconsistent.

Philippians 1:6 (AMPC) And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

God puts us on a course of continual development that involves many future changes and adjustments so that we can live out the righteousness He has imparted to us. 

1.  His posture through the process

1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Peace always produces patience.

Few things hinder the process of righteousness more than a sense of condemnation because it always includes guilt, feelings of unworthiness, and the sense of impossibility of ever being able to measure up to God’s standards.

“If we are going to be successful in the process of righteousness, we must come to a place of confidence in God’s patient heart for the process.”

2.  His promise in the process 

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (ESV) Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it.

He remains faithful EVEN when we are not.

“If we are going to be successful in the process of righteousness, we must put our faith and hope in the promise of His faithfulness.” 

3.  His holiness is really about our wholeness

We don’t have to remain broken, wounded, hurt, or in bondage unless we choose to. 

“If we are going to be successful in the process of righteousness, we must see holiness as more than the eradication of sin in our lives.” 

4.  He always views change as an exchange

Q — Where do you need to make an exchange in your life today? 

“If we are going to be successful in the process of righteousness, we must have open ears and hearts to heaven’s exchanges.”  

5.  His promise still requires our cooperation

“If we are going to be successful in the process of righteousness, we must be intentionally and actively involved in the process.”

Colossians 3:1-17 (NLT) Since you have been raised to new life with Christ… 5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.  Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires.  Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. …12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.  Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts.  For as members of one body you are called to live in peace.  And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives.  Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.  Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.