WE TRY TO BECOME RIGHTEOUS, UNTIL WE KNOW WE ARE RIGHTEOUS

A. We already are a new creation. But we are going to try to become a new creation until we

know we are a new creation. Where we are really living comes after the BUT. “I am a new

creation, but… But what? But I do fail a lot”. Then that’s the way you see yourself, as a

failure. “God sees no wrong or fault in you. Yes, but…” When God looks at us, He sees the

nature of His Son. He does not see us as a failure; we never let Him down as He never let us

down. He sees us as righteous, as redeemed, perfect, clean, spotless and complete in Christ.

For it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Pet. 1:16)

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Mat. 5:48)

B. As believers our failures, sins and shortcomings (all below the line realities) constantly

confront us. Unless we understand that our true identity lies above the line we will habitually

draw our identity from our below the line performance, whether good or bad. Our focus will

be on trying to clean up our act and look good enough for God to accept us. We are a finished

product, but where many are living is: trying to become something they already are. It

results in having the “doing good for God”-mentality, and falsely belief: “I’ve got to produce

for God.”

But anything we produce from our own strength, the flesh, doesn’t bring true life.

What counts is doing works with God through the power of the Holy Spirit from within.

…Jesus said, "It is finished."…He bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (Jn. 19:30)

The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing... (John 6:63)

C. The enemy and the world try to put condemnation on us: “You are no good”, “Remember that

promise you made to God? You are not keeping it.” Regardless of what I am thinking or

feeling or what I just did, I am not condemned. I am the righteousness of God in Christ.

Knowing our true identity enables us to live with a Christ-consciousness instead of a sin consciousness. The world says, “You act holy, and we’ll call you holy.” God says, “Say you’re holy, and I will bring that forth in the seen and temporal.”

In God’s sight we can never become more spiritual or more holy, or more successful, nor can we become ‘better’

Christians. Thinking “Yes I want to go for God, but I am not holy enough”, is fueled by a

religious spirit. You don’t become holier, but you become you-ier. We don’t try to become

what we already are! We are who we are in the Grace of God and that never changes.

But by the grace of God I am what I am… (1 Cor. 15:10)