
2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- For many Christians, it’s much easier to believe the first half of this verse than it is the second.
- Jesus became our worst so that we could become God’s best!
- We can’t spend more time focusing on what we are not than what we are in Christ.
- Righteousness - The ability to stand in the presence of the Father God without the sense of guilt or inferiority.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - 18
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself …
Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)
As a man thinks (or believes) in his heart, so is he…
- If I don’t understand my true identity in Christ, I won’t be able to live it out.
- In God’s view, am I his best now? Or am I his best once I get to eternity?
Colossians 1:21-22
And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before the Father.
- Your new creation life starts the moment you accept Jesus by faith and make him the Lord of your life.
Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.
- We are justified by our faith in Jesus, not in our performance of good deeds in any way.
- Our Struggle with sin is an abundance of sin consciousness and a lack of God-consciousness.
- Sin Consciousness holds us in:
- Condemnation
- Guilt
- Inferiority
- Failure
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
- RIGHT NOW you are free because you are in Jesus.
- RIGHT NOW you live under the law of the Spirit of life, you no longer live under the law of sin and death.
- YOU ARE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD THROUGH JESUS, IT’S TIME TO BREAK UP WITH SIN.
- God has severed the old relationship with sin and death, but Satan wants to convince you to continue the relationship.
James 1:14-15
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
- Sin is described as a relationship:
- We’re tempted
- We choose to give into the temptation and sin is conceived
- The sin grows up and it produces death.
- Jesus became our sin, but had never previously had an intimate relationship with it.
- When Jesus transfers his righteousness to us, God sees us as if we never had a previous relationship with sin.
- The secret of victory is acting fearlessly; confessing boldly for Satan fears you. You are a righteous man a righteous woman.
Discussion Questions:
1. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 - Is it hard for you to believe that you have become the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ? Why or why not?
2. How would you describe in your own words what it means to be a “new creation” in Christ?
3. Read Romans 5:1 - What does it mean to you that you are “justified by faith?”
4. How can understanding this truth help you to get rid of sin consciousness or an inferiority complex?
5. What do you feel is the best course of action for you as a believer when you fail in an area of your life or give in to temptation?