Regardless of what Happened Last Week, You are the Righteousness of God

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

When you drop to your knees to pray, the enemy does not wait to see what you are going to ask for. He comes at you before the first word is out of your mouth. And his opening move is almost always the same. He tells you why you aren’t worthy, holy enough, or good enough to expect anything. He starts reminding you of what you said last week. How did you act around your family? Those thoughts are not random. If he can make you feel unworthy before you get started, he wins without a fight. The prayer never gets prayed, the weapon never gets raised.

That is exactly why Paul put the breastplate of righteousness on the believer before the battle begins. The breastplate covers the vital organs. It protects the heart. And righteousness is what you need covering your heart when the accusations come.

Now look at what the Word actually says: “He hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” The word made there does not describe something you achieved, earned, or maintained through good behavior. It is something God Himself did with His power. Jesus, who knew no sin, was made to be sin on your behalf—the full weight of it. He did that so that you could be made the righteousness of God in Him, placed into right standing with the Father, not because of your performance but because of His.

So when Satan comes to remind you of last week, you remind him of the cross. When he brings up your past, you bring up the blood. You are not standing before God based on your record. You are standing before God based on Christ's record, and Christ's record is perfect.

Practical Application

You are standing before God based on Christ's record, and Christ's record is perfect. Here is the bottom line, and it needs to settle in your spirit. You are the righteousness of God in Christ, in right standing. As far as God is concerned, when you come to Him in prayer, you are righteous enough that anything you ask, He hears, and He will answer.

Romans 5:17; Philippians 3:9