For if because of one man’s trespass (lapse, offense) death reigned through that one, much more surely will those who receive [God’s] overflowing grace (unmerited favor) and the free gift of righteousness [putting them into right standing with Himself] reign as kings in life through the one Man Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
God wants us to think, speak, and behave rightly, so He gives us what we need in order to do those things. God will never require us to do something without giving us what we need to do it. God gives us the gift of righteousness so we can become righteous in what we think, say, and do!
Although we have sinned, our sins cannot be compared to the righteousness of God’s free gift. Our sin is great, but His free gift of righteousness is greater.
The fruit of your life cannot be any greater than what you believe you are, so you must learn to think about and believe in your righteousness in Christ. If you think all the time that something is wrong with you, then you will keep producing wrong things, but believing you’re right with God will help you produce right behavior.
Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for the gift of righteousness in Christ. Help me think, speak, and live from who I am in You, producing fruit that honors You every day, amen.
