Don’t Be “Performance Conscious” – Be Righteousness

For we are the circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoice
in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh… (Philippians 3:3).
The Apostle Paul used the scripture above to chide religious Jews who
criticized the Gentiles and considered them unserious Christians because
they weren’t obeying the law. As far as those religious Jews were concerned
, if you weren’t circumcised, or turn towards Jerusalem when you prayed,
and perform all the ceremonial washings as stipulated in the Law, then you
were not a Christian. They believed in the gospel of performance – trying to
impress God with their good works.But that doesn’t work. Paul said there no
use having confidence in your so-called good works, for that’s not Christianity.
As Christians, we don’t rely on our good works of righteousness to answer for
us before God. In other words, we’re not “performance conscious”; we’re
conscious and confident in the righteousness that is of faith.The apostle Paul
revealed how worthless it is for anyone to boast in such pharisaic conducts as
observing the rudiments of the law: “…If any other man thinketh that he hath
whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the
stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching
the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless (Philippians 3:4-6).Paul displayed
his credentials as far as obeying the Law was concerned. There was no jot of the
law he didn’t fulfill as a Jew, yet he said: “I count all things but loss for the
excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered
the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be
found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of he law, but that
which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.
This is the summary of the gospel: to be found in Christ, not having your own
righteousness, but embracing God’s righteousness which is through the faith of
Christ. Don’t try to impress God with your religious performances – don’t try to
please Him by obeying the Law. The Law and its ordinances were abolished through
the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:15). Therefore put
away religion, and be a Christian! Don’t be performance conscious, be righteousness conscious.ConfessionI am of the true circumcision which worship God in Spirit and
rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh. I embrace the righteousness
of God which I through the faith of Christ, that I may be found in Him, deeply rooted
and established in Christ, as I increase in the fruits of righteousness.

Further Study
John 4:23-24

RIGHTEOUSNESS GIVES YOU RIGHT STANDING WITH GOD

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,

who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (Romans 8:1-2)."

Too many Christians labour under the burden of condemnation and this is one of the

tools the devil uses to keep them in bondage. He knows that the problem of sin

has been dealt with, and so he uses the weapon of sin consciousness. He hounds

them with thoughts that make them “feel” as though they’re sinning even when

they’re not. This feeling of inadequacy makes such people believe they’re not

qualified to do God’s work or receive His blessings.But the Bible declares that

there’s no condemnation to those who are in Chris Jesus, who walk not according

to the senses, but according to the Spirit. That means it doesn’t matter that you

“feel” condemned, what matters is what the Word of God says. Understand this:

the issue of sin has been dealt with once and for all by the death of Jesus Christ.

Jesus completely destroyed the hold of sin over us and brought us into right

standing with God. Romans 3:22-23 says “Even the righteousness of God which

is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no

difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”Right standing

means you’re now at peace with God, and can stand before Him without a feeling

of guilt, condemnation or inferiority. This is what righteousness gives you. Christ

has made you righteous. Christ has become your righteousness. Now because you

stand right, you have dominion in Christ Jesus over demons, disease and death.

Praise the Lord!Thus, you ought to have boldness when you pray or when you

introduce yourself as a Christian to others. Never allow any sense of inferiority

or condemnation in you heart.

Prayer

Dear Father, I thank you for justifying me

and making me unreproveable and unblameable in your sight. I refuse to allow

the devil or the opinions of others, or even my mind put me in a place of self

condemnation. I’m free to serve you and free to live the good life, in Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Further Study

Colossians 1:22 CEV;

1 John 2:1-2

Daily Scripture Reading

One Year Reading Plan

Acts 20:17-38

Job 22-24

Two Year Reading Plan

Luke 8:11-18

Joshua 6

RIGHTEOUSNESS MAKES YOU BLAMELESS 9TH JULY

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your
mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body
of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable
and unreproveable in his sight (Colossians 1:21-22).Did you know
that as a child of God you’re unblameable? It doesn’t matter
who’s pointing fingers at you, God says you’re unblameable!
This is a result of His righteousness that you received. You may
say, “But I’ve made mistakes.” Yes you might have, but you’re
unblameable in God’s sight because Jesus took responsibility for
all the mistakes you’d ever make.To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses
unto them… (2 Corinthians 5:19). The Bible says that God was in
Christ, reconciling the world – sinners unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them (2 Corinthians 5:19); meaning He’s not
holding their sins against them, because Jesus paid the full penalty
for their sins: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was
bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon
him: and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).Now, if the
sinner is not being held accountable for his sins because of the
salvation consummated by Jesus on behalf of mankind, what about
you? Our opening scripture says you that were hitherto alienated
from the life of God has now been reconciled and brought into a
living relationship with the Father through Christ. However, the
latter part lets us know that the reason for the reconciliation is to
present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable before God.
Christ has qualified you to stand in the presence of God, without
inferiority, guilt or condemnation. As far as God is concerned, you’re
without blemish and free from all accusation: you’re holy, blameless
and beyond reproach. Men may blame you, scorn you for your errors
and look at you as unholy, but God says, you’re holy, flawless, perfect
and impossible to fault in His sight!This is the result of His righteousness
in you – His rightness, perfection, precision and correctness – in your life.
ConfessionDear Father, thank you for giving me your righteousness that
makes me unblameable and unreproveable in your sight. I display your
perfection and correctness in all my affairs today as I walk in the
consciousness of this reality, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study
Romans 5:10; Ephesians 5:27

Daily Scripture Reading
One year reading Plan
Acts 20:1-16
Job 19-21

Two Year reading plan
Luke 8:1-10
Joshua 5

REIGNING THROUGH RIGHTEOUSNESS

For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one;

much more they which receive abundance of grace

and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by

one, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).One of the most

profound truths you could ever receive from

God’s Word is that you’re as righteous as Jesus is

righteous, because you’re the demonstration of God’s

righteousness. In other words, the people of the

world can look at you and see the perfection and

inner-beauty of divinity. I would to God you’d

grasp this truth today, and rise up to who

you are in Christ, it’ll make you a master in

life.Righteousness makes us masters. We reign

through righteousness. In our opening scripture,

we read that “…if by one mans offence death

reigned by one; much more they which

receive abundance of grace and of the gift of

righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

” That means you reign in life by virtue of your

nature of righteousness. You have become a master

over every circumstance of life; a master over

the demons of hell and every disease. It’s important

that you understand this!Notice what the scripture

says will happen with those who receive the gift of

righteousness: they shall reign in life! The Amplified

version says they shall reign as kings in life. You’ve

been called to reign in life. Being conscious that you’re

the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus gives you mastery

over the devil and his accusations. It makes you a champion

in life! It also gives you the boldness and confidence to

pray to God and expect an answer. You’re unafraid and

unashamed before Him.So now, not only can you stand

in the presence of God by virtue of your righteousness

in Christ Jesus, you can confront satan and the cohorts of

hell in boldness without any fear. That makes you a master

over satan. This is the reason we can stand before any kind

of disease or sickness and command it to leave. Praise God!

ConfessionDear heavenly Father, thank you for giving me

your righteousness as a gift, and inspiring me to boldly take

advantage of my right standing with you! I declare that

I’m reigning in life over satan, sin, sickness, disease and

everything that hurts and binds; in Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Further Study

2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:21

Daily Scripture Reading

One Year Bible Reading plan

Acts 19:8-41, Job 15-18

Two Year Bible Reading plan

Luke 7:36-50, Joshua 3-4