How can believers emulate Christ's righteousness in daily life? The Spirit Reveals True Righteousness John 16:10: “in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me.” • Christ’s return to the Father locates righteousness in a living, reigning Person. • The Holy Spirit now testifies within us to that exalted standard, exposing every false substitute. Receiving, Not Achieving: Our Position in Christ • 2 Corinthians 5:21—God made the sinless One “sin,” so we might “become the righteousness of God.” • Romans 5:17—righteousness is a gift, not a wage. • Philippians 3:9—our boast is “the righteousness that is from God by faith.” Walking Out What We Have Received 1. Renew the mind with truth (Romans 12:2). 2. Present the body as an “instrument of righteousness” (Romans 6:13). 3. Cooperate as God works in us “to will and to act” (Philippians 2:13). Practical Expressions of Christ-like Righteousness • Speak truth lovingly (Ephesians 4:15). • Guard purity of thought (Philippians 4:8). • Serve without fanfare (John 13:14-15). • Forgive quickly (Ephesians 4:32). • Pursue justice for the vulnerable (Isaiah 1:17; Hebrews 1:8-9). • Give generously (2 Corinthians 8:9). • Walk in humility (Matthew 11:29). Guarding Against Counterfeits • Self-righteous comparison (Luke 18:11-14). • Legalism divorced from love (Matthew 23:23). • Outward show without inward reality (Matthew 6:1-2). Regularly invite God to “search me” (Psalm 139:23-24). Daily Dependence on the Spirit • Galatians 5:22-23—fruit of righteousness emerges as we walk by the Spirit. • Ephesians 5:18—stay continually filled. • 1 John 2:29—ongoing practice of righteousness marks the born-again life. Living in conscious union with the ascended Christ and responsive reliance on His Spirit turns His imputed righteousness into visible, everyday reality. |
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