Being Right
February 26, 2022
[Video text below:]
Have you ever known you were right about something? You KNEW you were right, and it gave you confidence to step out boldly or speak up confidently. There are endless opportunities at my job to doubt what I know. But, when I know I am right, I am not even afraid to speak up to the boss of my boss’s boss.
Contrast that level of boldness and confidence with how I feel about my faith life. My knees are knocking when the opportunity to share my faith presents itself. I admire those who can freely strike up a conversation with a stranger or those with the presence of mind to drop stories about what God has done for them in their casual conversations. They act like they have nothing to lose. Where does that boldness come from?
It occurred to me, as I was reading Hebrews 10, that such boldness and confidence also comes from knowing you are right. These fearless people are right because their faith in Jesus Christ has made them that way. In Hebrews 10:2, there is this idea of “sin consciousness.”
For if it were otherwise, would [these sacrifices] not have stopped being offered? Since the worshipers had once for all been cleansed, they would no longer have any guilt or consciousness of sin. (AMPC)
I dug a little further into its meaning. Sin is defined as an immoral act considered to be a transgression of divine law. Consciousness is a state of being awake or aware of something. So, sin consciousness is being aware or focused on your sin or your guilt. This is the strong or nagging feeling of condemnation, which is an intimidation tactic of the enemy to keep you scared and doubtful. Sin consciousness says, “If people knew what I have done,” or “I am such a sinner that I am in no position to tell people about Jesus,” or “What I did was unforgivable.”
Have any of these thoughts gone through your mind? You will never speak up or act confidently if you constantly entertain these kinds of thoughts. If you give place to that consciousness of your past sins, it will rule your life. There is no boldness in a person who focuses on what is wrong about them. These are uncertain people who wonder if God has really forgiven them, even after they have confessed their sins and genuinely repented.
Sin consciousness is the primary reason people struggle to mature in their faith and never really grow much beyond the initial stages of their Christian life. The Bible clearly states, in many scriptures, that when you make Jesus your Lord, you are forgiven, washed clean, and made completely righteous in Christ. But, they still don’t believe it. Romans 8:1 says:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (NKJV)
Paul is telling the Romans that their consciousness of sin is the wrong focus. There is NO condemnation for those who are in Christ. None! Don’t focus on the wrong when you are right. You are right with God when you accepted Jesus as your Savior. Romans 3:22-24 says:
22 Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction, 23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives. 24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus. (AMPC)
This is where your focus should be. Not on your past sins, but on your rightness with God because of Jesus. Every sin you committed in your past was completely forgiven when you accepted Jesus. And every sin you have committed since that moment is forgiven the instant you confessed and repented. So, purge those condemning thoughts that you are not good enough or worthy enough. Those thoughts are not God’s thoughts; they are a trick of the enemy to keep you doubtful and intimidated. Think about it: How bold could you be if you knew you were right? You are right! So, you have nothing to fear. You are right with God, and His is the only opinion that matters!