“Our Sin for His Righteousness”
In the world, bartering works only when two people exchange goods of relatively equal value. But God offers to trade His righteousness for our sin- something of immeasurable worth for something worthless. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus as our Savior, we exchange our sin for his righteousness. Our sin was poured into Christ at his crucifixion – his righteousness was poured into us at our conversion.
God’s people have always been under attack by the unbelieving world, but it seems there is more and more pressure being put on Christians with each passing day. This should not come as a surprise as the Bible certainly warns us about these evil days. It’s vitally important though we as followers of Christ stand for truth, honor, and righteousness. As Christians, we are Christ’s ambassadors, sent with his message of reconciliation to the world. We must not take this responsibility lightly.
In everything the Apostle Paul did, he always considered what his actions communicated about Jesus Christ. If you are a believer, you are an ambassador or minister for God. In the course of each day, non-Christians are listening to and evaluating the words that come out of your mouth and observing your attitude toward things as well as your actions.
Jesus told his disciples they “are in the world, but not to be a part of it” (John 17:14-16). Paul wrote, “We are not to conform to the pattern of this world (the way it thinks and acts) but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our mind” (Romans 12:2). As followers of Christ, we are called “not to conform to the world’s behavior and customs which many today deny the existence, authority, and power of God.
Christianity is more than just avoiding certain worldly customs and its behavior because we can do such things, yet still be filled with pride, arrogance, and thoughts about certain things or people. This is why the “renewing of our mind” is so vital. Romans 8:5 - 9 tells us, “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death and hostile toward God, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” Are you allowing Satan to guide your life, or God’s Spirit? Each day, we make a choice and others are watching.
Pastor Carnes
