CORE DISCIPLESHIP
from JOSHUA NATIONS
Core Foundations - Lesson 10
To understand righteousness and how it is given to believers, we suggest that you study and meditate over Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Hebrews.
THE NEW CREATION 2 Corinthians 5:17
If any man be in Christ, he experiences salvation and receives all things new.
God creates a new spiritual order in each believer, and also new spiritual realities.
An inner change takes place that is reflected in every area of
our lives.
THE NEW RIGHTEOUSNESS 2 Corinthians 5:21
To the degree Jesus was made sin, we were made righteous!
Believers receive a new righteousness that cannot be earned.
This new righteousness is literally a “right standing” with God.
Jesus took our place on the cross and became sin, while being sinless. Becoming our perfect substitute, He paid for our righteousness. Therefore, as a new creation, we are formed out of the righteousness of God Himself.
Our righteousness is not based on good works and what we have done, but on what Jesus did in the New Covenant between Him and the Father.
A NEW MINDSET AND THINKING
We will find our purpose and worth when we live in His righteousness
We are to have and live with a righteousness consciousness, and subsequently begin to live free from sin consciousness.
You always move in the direction of the most dominant thinking.
You will be filled with your focus. Proverbs 23:7
God views us through Jesus’ righteousness. A man found in Christ
is judged righteous before the Father.
If Jesus paid for our righteousness there is nothing left for us to do but humbly submit to the, “It is finished” of the cross of Calvary. It is impossible for God to accept any form of righteousness other than that which Jesus Christ offered to Him on the cross.
Having been set free from the habit of sin, we become slaves of
righteousness. Romans 6:18
Awaken to righteousness and as a result you will not practice sin.
Left untreated, condemnation destroys confidence and the core of
our faith.
This doesn’t imply that you are sinless, but that you will sin less
The root of self-condemnation is a lie that says, “I am not worthy.”
I am just a sinner.
I am only human.
I am not good enough.
POSSESSORS OF BLESSINGS
God set up humanity to be recipients of blessings from the very beginning. Even in the midst of trial, struggle, sweat, and tears God wants to bless us and make us possessors of blessings.
Ephesians 1:3
We are intended not only to be the product or recipient of blessings but possessors of blessings. To possess something would indicate that you are able to contain, control, and redistribute.
2 Corinthians 1:4, 9:11, Zechariah 8:13
Even with Abram (whose name was changed to Abraham), God promised to make him a possessor of blessings so that he could bless nations. Ephesians 1 indicates that all spiritual blessings are available to us through Christ. These blessings are not for us only, but to be redistributed to bless others, consequently extending God’s influence. Genesis 12:2
CHOSEN BY GOD
THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE HAS CHOSEN YOU!!!
You were not chosen as a substitute, replacement, or alternate. You were hand-selected by God to be part of His plan, whether you feel like it or not. He has chosen you! Ephesians 1:4-5
Being chosen gives us confidence because we know that God has confidence in us. Better yet, we know that God has confidence in Himself to see us through the most difficult situations and circumstances. 1 Peter 2:9
His grace is sufficient for us. Even in the midst of struggling as a chosen person, He is sufficient, He is made strong in our weakness, He is the author and finisher. John 15:16, Hebrews 12:1-2
Before the foundations of the world, our identity was already being planned and purposed! Because God is timeless and exists outside of the confines of time, the fact that we have been chosen indicates that He purposed us since before time existed. Romans 8:29-30, 2 Thessalonians 2:13
ADOPTED THROUGH LOVE
Adoption is a concept that allows believers to step away from their past identity and into a new familial identity. At one time all people were orphans (spiritual orphans) due to sin and separation from God. Romans 3:10-23.
By God’s grace we are now adopted as sons and daughters with full rights and privileges. Through love, we were brought into God’s family. Now as sons and daughters we also have the incredible privilege to operate with Him and on His behalf. John 1:12
Some of the benefits or privileges include being heirs to the Kingdom. Galatians 3:29, Galatians 4:6-7, Romans 8:17
Not only are we heirs, but we also have been given full access to the Father. Ephesians 2:18
We also have authority to rule and have dominion over God’s kingdom. We can conduct business on the Father’s behalf, just as Jesus in His earthly ministry did nothing of His own accord but only did and spoke what He received from the Father. We also receive gifts from the Father; the Holy Spirit, grace gifts, and all good things. Matthew 7:11, Luke 11:13, James 1:17
Being endued with power, position, gifting, grace and identity our role shifts from being an outsider to a participant. Opportunities of a lifetime are found in this new identity of being a son or daughter in Christ.
It is a joy to see children grow up and mature in responsibility. First it may just be a simple chore such as picking up their toys, but as the child matures and grows older these responsibilities typically increase to taking out the trash, household chores or even oversight of different aspects of the day to day upkeep of the home. Then one day the child is a young adult and participates in more robust obligations and is perceived as co-laborer within the family. This happens as the child grows in maturity and their identity within the family. A similar parallel can be made to our growth in God’s family. Yet with God things are often accelerated and our identity shift happens instantaneously whether we embrace it or not.
PURPOSED AND PURPOSEFUL
It is no coincidence that our identity comes with a new purpose. Much of humanity since the time of creation have been questioning their existence. Those that no longer question their existence choose what their own purpose is and then seek to fulfill such.
Unfortunately, though these purposes are often vain, meaningless and self-serving. Those with a purpose that seems honorable still find themselves lost without God and generally are seeking unattainable fulfillment. God’s purpose for us and our response to Him will bring a satisfaction that nothing else in the world can offer.
God’s thoughts towards us are good, so good that we cannot begin to comprehend. We cannot even fathom God’s thoughts because they are beyond us. Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 40:5
Due to God’s eternal nature and His immutability, these amazing thoughts towards us have always existed and will always continue to exist into eternity!
In response to Him, our thoughts must be intimately tied to our submission and obedience. Bound by faith, our mind is renewed through His word. This renewed mind changes our perception of reality, our purpose, and God’s purposes for us. A renewed mind is one that is clearly set upon Him with His word as the compass for direction. Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23, Romans 8:5-7
A purposeful and powerful identity is given to God’s children. Just as the Father sent Jesus for humanity, now Jesus sends us to continue in the harvest. John 20:21
Our identity propels us into our purposeful creation, wrapped up
in the Great Commission: the marching orders given to followers of Christ. These purposeful orders include going, preaching, teaching, baptizing, and discipling all nations for Christ.
Matthew 28:18-20
ADDITIONAL NAMES AND FUNCTIONS RELATED TO OUR IDENTITY
Co-laborers 1 Corinthians 3:9
Harvesters Matthew 9:37-38
Ambassadors 2 Corinthians 5:20