This message is for real, true, honest Christians, not people who are pseudo-Christians. What’s the difference? Honest Christians are those that want to get out of bondage of sin. The others are those who prayed a formula prayer and think they’re Christians and do as they please with the world.

Romans 6:14-16 (KJV) For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

If you believe these verses are telling you that if you “obey” you become righteous and if you “sin” you’ll die, then you have a misunderstanding. If you believe that obedience will make you righteous then you’re living under the law and have fallen from grace!

Galatians 5:4 (KJV) Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Paul is stating “to whom ye yield” – it’s a person, either Jesus’ way or our way (Adam’s original sin – he didn’t believe God’s word): to whom you believe leads to either the way of righteousness or the way of death. We cannot be righteous through obedience otherwise Jesus died in vain and we are still dead in our sins!

Galatians 2:21 (KJV) I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

So Paul is not talking about our obedience to righteousness, he’s referring to Jesus. Going back to chapter five we see this spelled out:

Romans 5:17-19 (KJV) For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Here it clearly states what Paul is talking about in chapter six. Adam’s sin caused us all to be in sin (noun). Likewise, through Jesus’ righteousness, His obedience, many are made righteous (noun). Why not all? Because everyone must accept that they themselves cannot do anything to be righteous. Adam chose his own way over God’s way and usurped God’s authority. Likewise, we must recognize God’s way to receive the gift of righteousness. What is God’s way? That we (me, myself, and I) can do nothing to become righteous! Righteousness is a GIFT not a reward. A reward is given for something you did to earn it. You get your salary because you worked; your pay is your reward. Righteousness cannot be earned, it can only be accepted. If I walk up to a guy and give him a gallon of milk (best in the world) did he do anything to earn it? That’s a gift. If he doesn’t take it then he’ll never know how good the milk is. If he accepts it, but doesn’t believe it’s any good and doesn’t drink it, again, what good is it to him? But if he accepts it and drinks it, he’ll find it the best milk he’s ever had in his life. That changes his thinking. Without being told, he wants to share it with others! But he first had to accept it, and then believes it’s drinkable and then he drinks it. That’s salvation. The gift of righteousness is there for all, but they have to accept it, then they believe it, and then they confess it and it comes to life to them and they want to tell others! That’s salvation!

In English we say “I AM hungry.” It should be “I have hunger.” We become what we think. This is really the mentality we use towards God. “I sin, so I AM sinful”. Though after we eat, we are no longer “I AM hungry”, yet since we still sin, in our thinking we are “still sinful” – THIS IS WRONG THINKING!!! Look at it like this: if a person born and raised in Germany comes to the U.S. and becomes a citizen, they are now American. To others they may have a German accent, they might like to eat German food, wear German clothes and even speak German, but to the authorities they are American! Likewise we, once sinful, are now righteous in the eyes of the Authority! Just like the German who wants to have fellowship with the authorities, learns to remove their accent from their speech, learns to eat American foods and changes their clothes to American blue jeans, we too transform, not for our salvation, but to be more like Christ! To have fellowship with God! If the German complains about being German, though they are an American, another American would say “so let your actions reflect you’re an American”. Paul says the same thing!

Romans 6:4 (KJV) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

We are righteous through Christ, not by anything we can do. If our actions change it’s by the power of the Holy Spirit guiding us to what is right and correct (to be like Christ) for the sake of fellowship with Him, leaving behind the old man, the old life we had in “sin” or Germany to the new American.

Romans 6:6-9 (KJV) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

In English we get the noun sin (person, place or thing) confused with the verb sin (action, performance, or existence). We wrongly focus on sin, and because we sin, we think we are still sinful. But in God’s eyes, because of what Jesus did, our state is now righteousness! Notice in these verses word “sin” is singular because it’s a NOUN:

John 1:29 (KJV) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Hebrews 9:26 (KJV) For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

So, just like those asking Paul, “Do we sin so grace can abound?” NO WAY! Why would you want to go back to that way of life? God loves you and you are no longer slaves to sin, so why do it? You have self-control though the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, when we sin (verb) we have our Advocate (lawyer) in Heaven – Jesus so there’s no more condemnation!!

1 John 2:1 (KJV) My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

If the speed limit is 55mph and you’re doing 56mph you don’t fret about it; more likely, you don’t even give it a second thought even if you noticed you’re speeding. Yet, by the law, you are indeed breaking it. Sin is not something to ignore, but we must not let it condemn us either. This is why young people don’t want to go to church. They’re only being honest with themselves. They don’t want to be in an environment of hypocrisy because they can’t stop sinning. Their parents, pastors and Sunday school teachers drill it into their heads “Obey! Obey! Obey!” and yet they see their parents, pastors, and Sunday school teachers sinning. They then think what hope do they have, I’ll just end up like them – hypocrites! Paul agrees and says:

Romans 7:23 (KJV) But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

It’s right believing that leads to right living. Look at these verses:

Titus 1:15 (KJV) Unto the pure all things [are] pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving [is] nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

So how does one become defiled? Speech. What we say reflects what we believe, but if we say what we want to believe then it becomes faith and faith changes what we believe J This is proven by Jesus’ Own words.

Matthew 15:17-18 (KJV) Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

If you confess with your mouth you are sick because of a twinge, you can become sick indeed. Scientists have proven this, even though this is what God said Himself! Why do you think placebos work? The power of believing! Now because science has proven it, does it make it more real? If it does, it shows the lack of faith you have in God. God says to speak the words of God (1 Peter 4:11a (KJV) If any man speak, [let him speak] as the oracles of God;) But why speak God’s word?

Romans 10:8 (KJV) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, [even] in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So when you speak the words of God, you start to believe the words of God through faith and they manifest in reality. God says you are no longer slaves to sin, so don’t be. If you are, it just means you have to change your thinking. This is proven again by Paul speaks of this war within our thinking:

Romans 7:24-25 (KJV) O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Paul says it’s how we think! Though he cannot overcome the old man in the flesh, he can overcome with his way of thinking. Since he’s adjusted his thinking the next verse says:

Romans 8:1-4 (KJV) [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

So many still get caught up in the second part of that verse: who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Like it’s a conditional act – works all over again. The truth is, to walk after the Spirit is to walk in faith – belief!

Romans 4:3 (KJV) For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

It’s all in your thinking. There is NO condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus! Don’t you get it? The devil’s job is to make you doubt, lose faith, hope, etc. When Jesus warned Peter he would deny Jesus, He told him He prayed his faith would not lack:

Luke 22:32 (KJV) But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

The word converted here means to return, meaning to go back to the old way of life, which is what Peter did the night he denied knowing Jesus. Notice Jesus didn’t pray he wouldn’t fail, but that his faith wouldn’t fail.

Hebrews 10:23 (KJV) Let us hold fast the profession of [our] faith without wavering; (for he [is] faithful that promised;)

“But I still sin!” Yea, so? Our body isn’t saved and it will always fail until Jesus returns and gives us new bodies! So stop focusing on sin and keep your eyes on the Sacrifice of God, Jesus!

Hebrews 10:2-3 (KJV) For then would they [the sacrificed of goats to God] not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year.

See, every year Israel had to sacrifice for their sins, called the Day of Atonement (10 Tishri). The day before was called the T’Shuba – day of repentance, to reflect on their wrongs throughout the year. The sacrifices of bulls and goats could not remove sin, but only covered it up. Since everything fades over time, even the covering blood of bulls and goats had to be renewed. God seeing this sent His Son to be that sacrifice, in the flesh condemning sin by never sinning, died for us to REMOVE sin from us! Now there’s no more sin, only righteousness! Glory to God! Read this carefully. The Holy Spirit narrates a conversation between the Father and the Son in heaven:

Hebrews 10:7-14 (KJV) Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law; Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all]. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

The Father was tired of the continual sacrificing of bulls and goats…man used the sacrifices to continue in their sins, not wanting to be free from this bondage. It only brought about hypocrites. So Jesus came, and in the flesh, fulfilled the law, making those who believe through faith in His work perfect forever! How is one “sanctified”? The word in the Greek and Hebrew mean the same thing: proclaim, pronounce, dedicate, mentally to venerate (regard with great respect)! First we believe and then we confess it!

I AM RIGHTEOUS!

Not of my own doing, but by the gift from Jesus’ work! Today, parents, preacher and Sunday school teachers are doing the same as the Pharisees – teaching the law instead of Grace, making those that hear them slaves to sin and hypocrites.

Matthew 13:15 (KJV) For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Revelation 3:22 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Listen to the Spirit and not man! Since we are hard of hearing, we need to confess the word of God so our faith grows and we hear the Spirit speak to us! Glory to God!! Praise His holy Name!! We are free from sin (noun). Remember that speeding? If we’re dead, we can’t break the law!

1 Peter 2:15-17 (KJV) For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using [your] liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all [men]. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

Romans 5:17 (KJV) For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Those who receive the abundance of grace AND the gift of righteousness SHALL REIGN IN LIFE! How can you receive? Believe!!!

Romans 4:5 (KJV) But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

See you can’t work for it! Only those who KNOW [believe, reckon it so] they are ungodly and BELIEVE [have faith, trust God at His Word] are JUSITIFIED and our FAITH is counted for righteousness! Because you believe and you are righteous, you SHALL (command) reign in life through Jesus Christ! When you reign in life, your unclean habits do not. When you reign in life, your diseases do not. When you reign in life, Satan cannot. Because YOU are reigning! We are reigning not by achieving but by receiving. Man says you get good because you work hard. God says “Take! I am your supplier!” The more you receive the more you reign. I repeat it again:

Romans 5:17-19 (KJV) For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one [judgment came] upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one [the free gift came] upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

Adam’s sin condemns all men and we are all made sinners. We are sinners not because we sin; we are sinners because we are BORN into sin! Jesus’ righteousness justifies all men who believe! Since we died with Christ and were buried with Him, we are DEAD to sin. Can one dead be given a speeding ticket? Sure, but what authority is there behind it? NONE! They guy’s DEAD! So we, in Christ, are raised from the dead to new life! A life of RIGHTEOUSNESS! BORN AGAIN! “So by the obedience of One” Jesus (!!!), we are made righteous!! Believe it!!!!

So by Who’s obedience are we made righteous? You, me? No! Jesus’ obedience!! God blesses you based on Jesus’ work not yours! Receive! Believe! This is why it’s called GRACE! Unmerited favor – you couldn’t do anything to earn it! Hallelujah!!! Heaven has been cleansed by Jesus’ blood so Satan can no long accuse you before the Father, besides, our Lawyer (Jesus) is there advocating for us – case dismissed! So Satan can only accuse you to YOU! Don’t listen to him! He’s a looser! God says you’re righteous, believe! NO MORE FOCUS on sin, but focus on Jesus! God blesses you because of Jesus’ obedience not by your obedience. We cannot love God with all our hearts, minds, or souls. But Jesus can and did for US! This isn’t a New Testament thing either. The Law of Moses was put into a wooded box covered in Gold, with a golden seat above it where the blood of bulls and goats was poured. So when the Father would look for the Law, He’d only see the Blood! That’s what Jesus did for us! When God looks at our actions He does so through His son and He only sees the Blood of Jesus!

John 8:11 (KJV) She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

NO MORE CONDEMNATION! Did she sin more, certainly, we all do, but in God’s eyes we have NEVER sinned! We are DEAD to the Law! No Law no sin! Be free from condemnation since there’s no one to condemn you except the One Who’s our Lawyer!

When you focus on your sin, you have more faith in sin than in what Jesus did for you. Do you have more faith in Adam or in Jesus? Jesus!! Then live like it! Adam brought sin and death. Jesus brought righteousness and life. By His obedience we are made righteous.

Romans 6:17-18 (KJV) But God be thanked, that ye were [past tense] the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form [tupos – see below] of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

How are we righteous? Obeying the doctrine delivered you – believing! When you believe the gospel [good news] that Jesus’ obedience makes you righteous, you are free from sin! Now you know why it’s “Good News”! “Being then made free from sin” (noun) you are righteous (noun). The word “form” above is tupos in the Greek and it’s the imprint made in clay. So when you believe, you are imprinted with righteousness! Just like when a king would press his ring into the hot wax to seal something, the imprint on the wax was what was on his ring. Jesus actions imprinted righteousness onto you (you being the hot wax). So when God looks are you, He sees that you are righteous! Hallelujah! We are not set free from the verb of sin, we can still sin if we want to, but we are freed from the place of sin where nothing we do right can make us righteous. We have been transformed to a place of righteousness where the blood of Jesus makes it so even if we do wrong God sees us in a place of righteousness. Paul calls himself a prisoner of Christ. When we were slaves to sin, could we do right to make us righteous? No. Now, we have had a prisoner exchange by Jesus where we are slaves to righteousness. Is sin greater than Jesus? So what makes you think when you do wrong, God’s going to see you as a sinner? Jesus died for sin ONCE FOR ALL FOREVER! So since you are righteous, then you have the right to the promises through Jesus!

Psalms 5:12 (KJV) For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as [with] a shield.

Psalms 34:15 (KJV) The eyes of the LORD [are] upon the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their cry.

Psalms 37:25 (KJV) I have been young, and [now] am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

Psalms 37:29 (KJV) The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever.

Psalms 37:30 (KJV) The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

Psalms 55:22 (KJV) Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalms 92:12 (KJV) The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

Psalms 118:15 (KJV) The voice of rejoicing and salvation [is] in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD doeth valiantly.

Psalms 118:20-21 (KJV) This gate [Jesus] of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.

I love the play on words! Jesus is Yeshua in Hebrew and it means “Salvation!” He is the Door (gate) of the Lord!! HA! HA!

Proverbs 10:3 (KJV) The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.

Proverbs 10:16 (KJV) The labour of the righteous [tendeth] to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.

Proverbs 10:21 (KJV) The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Proverbs 10:24 (KJV) The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.

Proverbs 10:28 (KJV) The hope of the righteous [shall be] gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

Proverbs 11:8 (KJV) The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead.

Proverbs 11:28 (KJV) He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

Proverbs 29:2 (KJV) When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

Isaiah 3:10 (KJV) Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Finally, let me say that all this was hidden in the Hebrew Scriptures and was revealed in the New Testament.

Romans 16:25-26 (KJV) Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Obedience of faith is right believing! The only DOING you have to DO is believe! Believe that Jesus’ obedience makes you righteous!

Let’s look at one more thing. Paul below confronted Peter about hypocrisies he was committing.

Galatians 2:11-16 (KJV) But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: [it was unlawful to eat with them] but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled [hypocrisy] likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation [hypocrisy]. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before [them] all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We [who are] Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Hypocrisy is acting like your free when you’re in bondage. And when you’re under grace and you’re acting like you’re under the Law. How are we to “walk uprightly according to the truth of the gospel?” It’s not by DOING but by BELIEVING! When God says we are righteous, we should not be sin conscience. When God says you are righteous you believe it. When you believe that Jesus’ obedience makes you righteous then you are obedient to the faith! Then you are walking uprightly. What happens to people who walk uprightly?

Psalms 84:11 (KJV) For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good [thing] will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

How is one to walk uprightly? Believing the Gospel every single day! WE cannot DO anything but believe!