You've Got to Know Who You Are

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. ​(2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV)

Romans 1:17 says, “the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” What is the Righteousness of God? 

Jesus did not come to help you overcome your sinful nature; He came to completely do away with it. How do we know this? The Bible says, “Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Romans 6:6 NKJV). 

At the  Cross Jesus took away ALL OF OUR unrighteousness and gave us His righteousness. He freely gave us His own right standing with God. He did away with our old sinful nature  and gave us His righteous nature. 

Understand that God doesn’t half do anything. You cannot be almost righteous or kind of unrighteous. Right now, you have the Righteousness of God, which is the nature of God. Problem is you must see who are really are. You've got to know who you are...

(11) Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, (12) so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. 13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” (14) Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. (15) And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” (Acts 19:11-15 (NKJV))
 
This is someone who was imitating someone else. This is someone who has no real  understanding of God's righteousness, and no real relationship with God. They are trying to imitate someone who does, and the demons stripped them and sent them running down the street naked. Today we could call them “lip syncing Christians.”  

A “Lip Syncing Christian” is merely a shadow of the real thing. Because they are imitators of others, rather than Christ, they know what to say and how to say it, but they have not done what it takes to be authentic. They have no relationship with God through Jesus Christ and no righteousness of God, so His anointing is of no effect for them.

Now let’s look at someone who knows who they are and who operates in whom they are, the righteous nature of God.

“28 When he arrived in the territory of the Gadarenes on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, two men met him. They were possessed by demons and had come out of the tombs. No one could travel along that road because the men were so dangerous. 29 They shouted, “Why are you bothering us now, Son of God? Did you come here to torture us before it is time?” 30 A large herd of pigs was feeding in the distance. 31 The demons begged Jesus, “If you’re going to force us out, send us into that herd of pigs.” 32 Jesus said to them, “Go!” The demons came out and went into the pigs. Suddenly, the whole herd rushed down the cliff into the sea and died in the water. 33 Those who took care of the pigs ran into the city. There they reported everything, especially about the men possessed by demons.” Matthew 8:28-33 (GW)
 
Notice that the demons recognized Jesus as master over them. Now you might say, but Angeline that was Jesus. Well, let me ask you who did the demons say Jesus was? What did they call Him? They called Him The Son Of God. Who does God in His Word say that you are? Well, let's look and see. 
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• “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, THESE ARE SONS OF GOD.” (Romans 8:14)

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• “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD!” (1 John 3:1) 

 

• “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead DWELLS IN YOU, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies THROUGH HIS SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN YOU.” (Romans 8:11)

 

• "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, THAT THEY MAY BE ONE, JUST AS WE ARE ONE: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20-23)

Jesus had the same righteousness that you have. You will never achieve or walk out anything that you cannot see. You must see the real YOU. “BUT YOU ARE NOT IN THE FLESH, BUT IN THE SPIRIT, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” (Romans 8:9)
 
The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:33, when you “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness… all these things shall be added to you”. Whether the things you need is food, clothing, or other necessities in life, “all these things” they will be added to you.
 
There will be times when we are challenged to do things that are not of God for the sake of getting along, however, we must take a stand against evil and the forces of darkness on all fronts. I do not and will not knowingly support or help enforce any witchcraft or demonic doctrines. Because I help people self-publish books I get requests to edit and self-publish satanic and new age material. It has been said to me that I should not turn down this work because I need money. The scripture the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just was even used to justify their belief. I disagree and see this as the same tactic Satan used in the Garden to steal Adam’s position. No, I cannot take part in sharing anything satanic.

I am reminded of another time when I was tested recently. I had taken a part-time job to try to get ahead of my bills. The owner said they were Christian, however, so many things they did and said did not reflect a heart yielded to God. Much of what they practiced was New Age and divination. Particularly saging, which is common among followers of New Age and shamanistic beliefs and used in witchcraft spells. She paid how and when she wanted, and I left work nearly every day with a terrible headache. 

I was very uncomfortable being there and could get no peace about the job. The money I earned seemed to be put into a bag of holes and the job I took to help me get ahead of my bills did not benefit me at all. I prayed about it all because I did not want to leave if God wanted me there for a reason, but I really felt as if I did not belong there.

On my last day there I went in, and she had a shelf filled with sage and said that I was to sell it to the customers. I said I wasn’t comfortable doing that. I believed it to be witchcraft and I cannot participate in it. I silently prayed for direction. She came out from the back and lied saying the customers were complaining about me, and she needed to let me go. Although I needed that part-time income, although my back account was overdrawn, and my bills were behind I praised God for shutting that door! There are several things that took place immediately after to indicate I was under demonic attack. Guess the enemy got upset that he couldn’t have his way.

These are two examples of how the enemy attempted to get me caught up in his web. Be aware of his tactics. He will do just as he did with Jesus, wait until he thinks you are at your lowest to strike. As believers, we must always seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness over all else. Galatians 5:19-21 says, “Now the works of the flesh are revealed, which are these: adultery, sexual immorality, impurity, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, rage, selfishness, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I previously warned you, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

When we make God and His righteousness our primary concern  inour lives we're putting the kingdom first. I firmly believe that if we let God’s righteousness flow out of us, then nothing and no one can stop us from fulfilling our destiny, whatever it may be.

We must know and act like who we are and the power of God will work in our lives! We must believe God. Just because you know what to say does not mean there is power behind what you say. The Bible says faith is what makes things work. It’s not what you say. It’s what you say with faith that makes things work!

“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” (Hebrews 11:3)
                                           
The righteous nature of God is not a fake 'til you make it righteousness. You cannot get The Blessing acting like a slave!  No matter what is going on in your life see yourself as God sees you—as the completely righteous person you are. Once you do, your righteous nature will begin to manifest. You’ll start to think and act like a righteous person. You’ll be able to freely declare, “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus!” Whatever obstacle is in your way today see it as an atmosphere for a miracle, as an opportunity for God to be glorified and as a chance for your light to shine. Stay true to who you are!

The following scriptures reveal the truth about who you are now that you have believed on and placed your faith in Christ. As well as how God sees you and wants you to see yourself. I personalized them so you can declare them as truth for you 

I am complete in Him Who is the head over all rule and authority—of every angelic and earthly power (Colossians 2:10).

I am alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

I am free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

I am far from oppression, and will not live in fear (Isaiah 54:14).

I am born of God, and the evil one does not touch me (1 John 5:18).

I am holy and without blame before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:16).

I have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5).

I have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

The Spirit of God, who is greater than the enemy in the world, lives in me (1 John 4:4).

I have received abundant grace and the gift of righteousness and reign in life through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17).

I have received the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Jesus, the eyes of my heart enlightened, so that I know the hope of having life in Christ (Ephesians 1:17-18).

I have received the power of the Holy Spirit and He can do miraculous things through me.I have authority and power over the enemy in this world (Mark 16:17-18; Luke 10:17-19).

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