Have you ever felt rejected by a church or group simply because you weren’t "good enough"? Have you ever been told by someone you were living in sin because you couldn’t seem to live up to certain rules or guidelines? Have you ever wondered why it is that many times we are made to think we must deliver ourselves out of bondage and get righteous in order to be righteous, according to someone’s perception of it?
No matter how much we try, we cannot be delivered from a thing or follow someone’s “rules” until we already know we are the righteousness of Christ, simply because we have accepted Him as our personal savior and He lives within our own hearts. That is what true righteousness is, not being able to handle something, follow certain rules or quit doing something on our own power just in order to fit into someone’s doctrine of what true holiness is. Because as human beings, we have no power within ourselves, we are not our own god’s, or source of power. But for some reason, sometimes others lead us to believe that we have to put on a mask and act like perfect saints, in order to be worthy or righteous. And if you think about it, that really doesn’t make too much sense to act like something you’re not, when God can see right through it anyway.
I see people daily that just can’t seem to break free from bondage, and they can’t figure out why. It’s because they think they have to GET righteous, to be righteous. We have this problem as human beings that makes us think we have to fix or heal ourselves to be accepted by God. But here’s something that may come as a bit of a shock to you, just KNOWING what we do that is wrong in our hearts makes us righteous in God’s eyes already, simply because He is the one that gives us that knowledge. Our only problem is we think we have to fix it ourselves, when in truth, it’s already fixed. Some of us just need to stop giving in to what we know is wrong, stop performing for others like some sort of super sainted hero and take a good long look at our own hearts. And many of us think we’re powerless to the flesh and that we’re completely out of control when it comes to our own secret sin and desires. And in truth, we are...that is when we try to deal with it ourselves.
On the other side of the coin, many different people, ministers, ministries and even church members will tell you to get healed or delivered this way, or that way, or take a 12 step program, etc. Ever hear the old adage that "Knowledge is power"? Well, outside of the Bible, that is just wrong! Here’s something else that may shock you, but knowledge isn’t power, the spirit of God is where the real power lies. So many times I wonder why it is that we are made to feel that we have to be delivered from bondage the way someone tells us to. Just like there are so many different denominational churches out there, there are just as many different opinions, even within the same church building. One will tell you this, and another will tell you that, and it can get very frustrating and upsetting to the point where you don’t have a clue what to do or what is right for you. The Bible says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty".(2nd Corinthians 3:17). That means wherever the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So you have to ask yourself, is the spirit of the Lord within you? The Bible says “And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness” (Romans 8:10)
If Christ is in your heart, you’re free. And the only knowledge that brings power, is knowing that YOU are the righteousness in Christ, simply because He is alive in your heart, even through your failures and struggles. But that isn’t brain knowledge, that’s spiritual/heart wisdom.
You do not have to deliver yourself to be accepted by God, you already ARE delivered. All you have to do, is allow yourself to perform it. Even if you fall or mess up, you’re STILL the righteousness in Christ. Now, that is not a excuse for sin, but we have to stop listening to the lie of our own flesh that tells us there is no way to be good or acceptable, until we get good and acceptable. Righteousness is deliverance, and just because our flesh tells us we’re not delivered, doesn’t mean we’re not righteous. Both righteousness and deliverance, is of the heart and works it’s way out to performing in the flesh, not the other way around. Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your heart? If so, you are the righteousness in Christ, whether you feel like it or not.
The power of the Spirit within is what makes us free, not our own power, not brain knowledge, not mental wisdom, not books, not programs and not even knowing where the “problem” came from; but dwelling in the spirit and heart knowledge that YOU are the righteousness in Christ. But it’s our decision. If a ministry or program helps us, then we should go for it, we all need them on one form or another and we will always need support and encouragement from others. But remember, all it took was a decision from each and every one of us, for Him to completely save us, fill us, redeem us and make us new creations in Christ. And if we will stop swimming around in the mire on the surface and look deep enough, we will not only see the freedom that’s been there, but will know who we truly are with all our hearts and souls.
Be blessed,
Rick Young
Spirit Walkers Ministries
