2 Corinthians 5:21 reads, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”
Jesus, who never sinned one time, became sin from head to toe at the cross. The Bible says, “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). You say, “That’s amazing!” Yes- and here’s something even more amazing. The moment you put your trust in Christ, God views you as “righteous” from head to toe.
Does that mean you don’t have faults and flaws, or that you will never sin? No, it means that God has chosen to see you as being “in Christ,” and therefore you are always acceptable to Him. It takes faith to believe that God sees you as righteous. And where does such faith come from? By looking at yourself and examining your performance? No; if you do that it will totally discourage you.
So what’s the answer? The Bible gives it to us: “Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]” (Hebrews 12:2).
Where does such faith come from? Jesus. You are saved by His performance – not your own. The more you look to Jesus and consider His finished work for you on the cross, the greater your faith will be. Faith for what? Faith to believe that all your sins are truly forgiven. Faith to see yourself positioned “in Christ,” which will motivate you to become more Christlike in every area of your life.
© 2017 CE