"The Righteous"

“Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for 'The righteous shall live by faith.’” (Galatians 3:11 ESV)

The law is a mirror; it tells us what is sinful, and in that mirror, we can see our shortcomings with great clarity. No one can save themselves by obeying the law because, in our nature, we are unable to do so. We cannot obey the law. As Paul wrote, “ For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” (Romans 7:15) 

We are only made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ. By the grace of Christ, we receive the ability to have faith, to comprehend and believe the gospel, and in that, we are justified. We are justified once, at the onset of our faith, and we will never be more justified than at that moment. We are made righteous by faith. “And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,” (Romans 3:5).

When we are justified, we have been changed. The heart of stone is replaced with flesh, the Holy Spirit lives in you, and this can never be changed, never revoked. Paul also wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:27). You are an heir to the Kingdom of God.

However, we as Christians continue to grow in sanctification. Sanctification is our progress in holiness until we are called to be with the Lord. We will sin less, comprehend more, love God deeper, and treasure Christ as he truly deserves to be treasured. We become more compassionate towards others, we love more, display grace freely, and are patient and caring.

In our sanctification, we are preparing ourselves to stand with the Lord, either in the rapture or before Him at the white throne of judgment. Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 1:23, “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.” Paul is praying for complete sanctification before the Lord's second coming. This takes time; we can only take baby steps, as we would be lost trying to consume the totality of God and His purity all at once.

Paul also wrote, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6) Christ began the good work in us with the changing of our heart, our justification, and He will complete that work in us at the day of Christ Jesus through our sanctification.

So, what do we do? What does this mean for us? It means we walk as Christ did, in faith and obedience. We study the scriptures to learn more and more about what God requires of us. We love God and others as Christ loved us without boundaries or ends. Let us not forget that we should fulfill the great commission by spreading the gospel to the world. Be bold in faith and profess the truth, everlasting life only to be found in the finished work of Christ.

Do you know Christ as your Savior? Have you been changed by the Holy Spirit? Does He live in you? Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. No man can come to the Father except through Christ. (John 14:6)

Grace and Peace.