Let me ask you something today. How aware are you that you are the righteousness of God in Christ, as stated in the verse above? Is your awareness enabling you to receive all the benefits of your salvation? You and I may never have perfect faith, but the truth is that we only need the simplest of faith to receive many of the blessings of our righteousness - our right standing with God through Christ. Let's look at two of them here.

Scripture tells us: "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." (James 5:16 NLT) This truth alone is enough to make Satan and his demons shudder. Unfortunately, a lot of Christians never realize the "great power" that their prayers have, so they have a tendency to pray less than they should. This passage of Scripture goes to great lengths to try to help God's righteous ones to understand the power of their prayers, as the next verse says: "Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!" (v. 17) Think about that. The prophet Elijah did some amazing things, as recorded in the Bible, yet the text here says that our prayers have just as much power as his did. Many times, when I'm praying, especially when my faith is being stretched to believe for a miracle, I will declare - "I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, and my prayers are powerful and effective!" (NIV) Then faith rises up in me to dispel all doubt.

Next, the Bible tell us that "[Jesus] Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed." (1 Peter 2:24 NASB) Because Jesus took upon Himself our sin, and gave us His righteousness instead, we are no longer slaves to sin. (Romans 6:22) We may still sin, but now, we don't have to. Now we have a choice. And as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit, we become more like Christ all the time. (Romans 8:29) When the Scripture says, "by His wounds you were healed," some Bible scholars and Christians believe that it only refers to spiritual healing, but countless more believe it refers to healing for our spirits, souls, AND bodies. I personally agree with the second group of folks, and I have proven it in my own life and body countless times. Because we live in a fallen world - and in fleshly bodies - we will still sometimes sin, and we will likewise sometimes suffer from sickness and disease. I not only pray for healing when I need it, but I speak authoritatively to my body - and to sickness and disease - and I have seen God work miracles on my behalf. I still have some health problems that persist, but that doesn't stop me from praying and standing on God's promises of healing for my mind and body. And when a symptom attacks my body, I declare with confidence and conviction - "I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ, and by His wounds I am healed and made whole!"

I encourage you to spend extra time in the Scriptures searching out the benefits of your righteousness in Christ. Then work with God to reap the fullness of His blessings in every area of your life!

Prayer: Lord, please give me revelation from heaven - and help me to apply it to my life - so that I always have a keen awareness of my righteousness in Christ. Teach me about all the benefits of my salvation, including answers to my prayers, and healing for my spirit, soul, and body. Thank You that as I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, I will have everything I need to live the abundant life in Christ! (Matthew 6:33)

- J. M. Farro