Right Living in Christ is a fruit, not the root

Believers, in Christ, our living a holy, sin-free life is a fruit of our salvation, not the root. Because it is a gift borne of God's undeserved, unmerited favour, it comes naturally without you trying to be good or keep the law. When you stop trying to deserve God's favour with your own efforts and depend wholly on Christ for your righteousness, you'll find that you no longer have the desire to indulge in those sinful habits and addictions. You'll find that you give more, pray more, fellowship with Him more and do God's will, yet not you but Christ in you.

But many of us still put the cart before the horse. Many want to live right but believe that it is their ability to keep the law and do good that gives right standing with God, even when the bible says in Romans 3:20 "For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are."

In fact, Galatians 5:4 says this is how to get cut off from Christ. Any believer that is trying to get right with God by keeping the law comes under the curse as it is written in Galatians 3:10 - "
"But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, “Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law""

Believers, be blessed with believing Abraham! As the righteousness of God in Christ, we receive holiness that supersedes any that human effort can ever produce. It is a gift. We get to be pleasing to our Heavenly Father and live right through no effort of ours.

Let's learn from Peter's experience and stop boasting in the flesh. The arm of flesh will fail but our Lord Jesus never fails. Ask Him to help you stop relying on your own ability to be righteous and ask for grace to receive and understand His gift of righteousness. He will help you and deliver you from the power, pleasure and penalty of sin, all through no effort of yours! In Him, you will Live Right not because you have to but because you want to and love to!

With Christ, we don't give to get; we get to give.

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