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UNDERSTANDING RIGHTEOUSNESS

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16-17)

The Gospel is the revelation of how God makes man righteous.
Mark Hankins

Understanding righteousness and understanding redemption are essential to your faith working mightily. The main theme of the book of Romans is righteousness. The Apostle Paul begins by saying that the Gospel of Christ is fundamentally a revelation of righteousness.

Righteousness simply means “right standing with God.” It is living in a state of divine favor or being pleasing, accepted, or approved by God. Righteousness is a gift.

The Gospel is a revelation of how God makes man righteous. Jesus took your sinful condition so you could receive His righteous condition. He took your place so you could have His place.

Confession: 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. I am the righteousness of God in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:21)

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THE CENTER OF THE GOSPEL

Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered once into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 9:12)

The Gospel contains the power that God released in Christ
two thousand years ago.
Mark Hankins

The center of the Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. After His resurrection, Jesus told the disciples, “Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

The death, burial, and resurrection of Christ are eternal God events. We give them a date and place because they are historical events, but they are more than just history. They are supernatural, eternal God events, and they can be visited at any point in time as though they were happening right then. The same power that God released in these events is in the message.

The Gospel produces faith. The Word of God is a living thing. Christ hath redeemed you! The Gospel is not the good news that God can help you. It is not the good news that God wants to help you. It is the good news that God has already helped you in Christ.

Confession: The price has been paid. I am no longer a prisoner to sin; I am free. The curse of sin and Satan has been broken in my life by the blood of Jesus!

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THE GOOD NEWS

It is in and through Christ and the sacrifice of His life that we have been liberated. (Ephesians 1:7 Barclay)

Everything Satan has done in Adam, God has reversed in Christ.
Mark Hankins

The Gospel is the good news that man has been given eternal life through Jesus Christ. That life is the very life of God imparted to His children. It is healing life, overcoming life, reigning life, victorious life and it is the blessed life now- not just for when you get to heaven. It is heaven’s life flowing in you in this world.

God has targeted His power at man’s deepest needs– spirit, soul, and body. God knows the root of your problems, and He has effectually focused His power there. The word “salvation” has a five-fold meaning: deliverance, healing, safety, preservation, and soundness. This is not just a “heaven” message; it is an “earth” message as well.

The Gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16) Someone said that if you think you need more power, you really just need more Gospel. The Gospel is the power of God. The word “gospel” means glad tidings or good news. The Gospel is where God has released His power for the purpose of producing salvation.

Confession: I have eternal life. It is healing life, reigning life, victorious life, overcoming life, and blessing life!

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YOU ARE REDEEMED

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. (Galatians 3:13)

It is an insult to God for you to stay in prison when Jesus paid the price for your release!
Mark Hankins

There are three simple, yet powerful statements made in Galatians 3:13. Let’s take a closer look. The first is the fact that you are redeemed. The second is what you are redeemed from — the curse of the law. The third is what you were redeemed by — Christ was made a curse for you. Christ took your curse so you could go free.

The center of the Gospel is what God has done for you in Christ. The curse of the law has been broken, not for just a few select individuals, but for “whosoever” will hear and believe in the Gospel.

Jesus paid much too high a price for your freedom for you to stay bound. It is an insult to God for you to stay in prison when Jesus paid the price for your release. Satan cannot hold you. Sin cannot hold you. The past cannot hold you. Remember our first fact: YOU ARE REDEEMED!

Confession: Christ hath redeemed me now — not just when I go to heaven. Satan cannot hold me. Sin cannot hold me. My past cannot hold me! The curse of the law is broken in my life. I am redeemed!

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REDEMPTION: AN ACCOMPLISHED FACT

…secured our permanent deliverance. (Hebrews 9:12 Goodspeed)

If everything Jesus did was for you, it was set to the credit of your account.
Mark Hankins

Let’s look at several hath scriptures that the Apostle Paul wrote in his letters.

Christ hath redeemed you from the curse of the law. (Galatians 3:13)
God hath qualified you for your inheritance. (Colossians 1:12)
He hath delivered you from the power of darkness and ‘hath’ translated you into the kingdom of His dear Son. (Colossians 1:13)
He hath blessed you with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)
These hath scriptures show that Jesus hath — past tense — paid the price, and the prisoner must be released.

Man, without Jesus, is literally held captive by sin, Satan, sickness, fear, poverty, guilt, and many other things. The definition of redemption is “deliverance through the payment of a price.” Jesus paid the price for your freedom. Jesus said that you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed. (John 8:32,36)

Confession: I have been delivered through the blood of Jesus. I am no longer held captive by sin, Satan, sickness, fear, poverty, or guilt. He whom the Son sets free is free indeed!

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