And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation. Romans 5:9
Through the blood of Jesus Christ, we were made right with God. Once, there was this huge divide between God and us. We were separated from His holiness because of our sin. Desperate to make our way back to Him, we tried doing good works, which were all failed attempts at self-righteousness. Then God saw the mess we were in and sent Jesus to bridge the gap. Jesus died a horrific death on the cross so we might be made righteous, or without sin. When we accept Jesus Christ and declare that He is our Lord and master, God doesn't see all of our bad decisions, past mistakes or offenses anymore. Instead, when He looks down on us, He sees the blood of His own Son, which made us right before Him. This righteousness was attained not by our own merit, but through what Jesus did on the cross.
This righteousness is also listed as a part of the armor of God. Paul encouraged the Ephesians to put on both the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness. The breastplate was important because it covered over the soldier's most vital organs. It served to protect their hearts and lungs from catastrophic damage when going into battle. If it were put on correctly and worn properly, they would be able to stand firm in battle. Paul made this connection between the breastplate and righteousness as a covering for our hearts. He knew that without putting on God's righteousness and clothing ourselves in the forgiveness offered in Jesus each day, our hearts would be lead astray. He knew that we might doubt God's power to save us, or that our hearts might be drawn into lesser things that distracted our focus. When we put on righteousness, we are thankful for what Jesus did on the cross through His blood.
In light of the blood of Jesus, we don't feel separated from God, but instead, we feel connected and covered. We know that we have now been bought with the price of His precious sacrifice, and it inspires us to stand firm. Today, choose to be covered and protected by the righteousness He offered on the cross.
As you process the righteousness of God, it might be important for you to start this week by writing a definition for this word. We shared that righteousness means to be made right with God or to be in right standing with God. Write out your own personal definition of the word, then post it somewhere to remind you of the work Jesus did through His blood. When you're done, allow God's righteousness to cover your heart.
Read Romans 5:6-11 (NLT)
When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
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