“It is because of him (God) that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30

When Paul refers to some of his relatives, he says, “… and they were in Christ before I was” (Romans 16:7). He uses the term “in Christ” whereas today we might say they became Christians (or believers or were saved). When we look at this verse, we see Christians are “in Christ” and have been given his righteousness, holiness and redemption.

How wonderful it is that God credits us with righteousness, holiness and redemption. We don’t start our Christian lives at a big fat zero but rather with our accounts full of credit. There is no need to work for bonus points and it’s impossible to get into debt since Christ died for our sins past, present and future. All this because we trust, not in our own efforts, but in his.

This means the focus is no longer on what we must do to live a righteous life. It’s not about what activities we do or abstain from. The Christian life isn’t a religion of moral behaviour and the following of rituals, but rather it is a relationship with a loving Father who is pleased with us since we are his children.

God has done so much to solve the “sin problem.” He doesn’t want us to be constantly berating ourselves for our shortcomings but rather pressing on to establish his Kingdom.

Let’s focus on God and all he has done for us, when we do our response will be to worship Him.