God, I Agree With You!

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In the last three posts, hopefully you've seen the truth that we've been made righteous in Christ Jesus.
The Believer is NOT just a forgiven sinner.
We have been covered in Jesus' own righteousness - made just as right with God as He is!
What's more, we've been given the free gift of righteousness. In other words, I don't have to be afraid to talk about "MY" righteousness. I know where it came from, and I know that it was given to me!

This is critically important - we MUST believe that God made us righteous. It's not an optional doctrine or a "feel good" message. This right-standing with God must become a reality to every believer in Jesus Christ!

Walking In Agreement With God

"Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" Amos 3:3

If you're going to walk with God, then the two of you have to be in agreement. And friend, I've got news for you: He won't change His mind to agree with you. No, if there's ever going to be an agreement between you and God, you're going to have to change!

We knew this at the moment of salvation, right? The first step in your walk with God was when you changed your mind about sin and agreed with Him. You repented and began to think of sin as wicked - just like God does. You agreed with Him, and you began to walk together.

Now that your saved....this has to become a lifestyle. As you continue to find out what God thinks, you must continue to change your mind and agree with Him. This is what it means to walk together with Him.

Seems simple, right? Let's put that into practice:
"But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe."   -Romans 3:21-22

Righteousness comes on all who believe - do you agree with that statement? (Correct answer: YES!) Now ask this question: "Those who believe what?" What do you have to believe before God's righteousness comes on you? The answer is found right here in this passage: "You believe that God has made you righteous in Christ Jesus." 
Can you see it? Your faith in the truth that Jesus' sacrifice made you righteous is a necessary part of becoming righteous!

You can't walk with God without agreeing with Him.
He called you righteous when you believed in Jesus Christ.
   If you agree with Him, you're right.
   If you disagree with Him, you're wrong.

Simple, right?

Growing Up

Why do so many Christians still struggle with this?
Why are so many of us falling back to "how we feel", and leaving our faith in God behind?
Why do we always go back to "I feel like I'm just a sinner, but thank God for His mercy that keeps me alive"? 
It's because the church isn't growing up like we should be. We keep regressing back from solid food to spiritual milk.

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe." - Hebrews 5:12-13

What is spiritual milk? It's defined in this passage - it's the word of righteousness. So a "spiritual baby" is someone that is constantly needing to be reminded of their right-standing with God.
   God forgave you.
   God has wiped out your past sin.
   Yes, you fell - but get back up!
   God's not mad at you.
   He will cleanse you from that unrighteousness.
   You're clean.
   The blood of Jesus can wash away that guilt.
All of that is spiritual milk, designed to break baby Christians out of the guilt and shame of sin - and to remind them of the righteousness that God gave us.

Don't get me wrong, I like a glass of milk once in a while. The doctrine of righteousness is refreshing, even to mature believers. But we should progress further than milk-only teaching in the church.
Can we just settle this? You've been made right with God! Now let's move on!!


When we agreed with God concerning sin: We turned from it, repented and then received His mercy.
Now let's take the next step: Let's agree with Him concerning our right standing. Let's repent of our old, sin-conscious way of thinking, and embrace the righteousness that we've been given.
Only then can walk with Him into spiritual maturity and overcome a stunted spiritual growth.

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