“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In the previous devotional we talked about how Jesus’ righteousness, faithfulness and perfection gets credited to us. When his people stand before their Maker, God he sees not their sin (because Jesus has paid for it on the cross), but Christ’s righteousness! This is called “imputed righteousness.”

Today let’s focus on a question that often comes up as a result of idea.

If our standing with God is based on what Jesus has done and not on what we have done, why would we spend our time and effort avoiding sin, carrying a cross, and loving God and our neighbours? Does all of this mean that we can sin freely and do whatever we want?

No, it doesn’t.

Jesus’ people are called to be like him (1 John 2:6). If we are “in Christ” his Spirit is in us. The Holy Spirit helps us grow in Christlikeness. One of the ways this happens is through the cultivation of the “fruit of the Spirit” listed in Galatians 5:22-23. We also identify and use our spiritual gifts, and we start to engage in the practices God gives us to grow in faith and bless the people around us as Jesus’ hands and feet. If we truly believe in Jesus, we will start to bear his fruit in our lives. We won’t be perfect—far from it!—but we will start to bear fruit for the kingdom.

I think this is a liberating truth. And I hope you think it is a liberating truth as well. Here’s why.

Among other things you are created for “good works” (Ephesians 2:10). But you can feel a lot of angst and existential anxiety if you think you’re never doing enough. Perhaps you get focused more on your failures than your successes. Perhaps you feel that even though you are serving God in some ways, you could never do enough to make up for your sins. You’re never “good enough.”

It is during those moments when you need to remember that your standing with God is based on what Jesus has done and not on what you have (or haven’t) done. He’s not called Saviour for nothing. He’s the Saviour, not you.

Trust God. Serve him. Love others. Do good works. Become more like Jesus. If you are “in Christ” his Spirit is in you.

At the same time, and especially when you become overwhelmingly aware of your shortcomings, fear not. Your failures don’t define you. Your sin is not bigger than Christ’s sacrifice. Because of this, you can be at peace.

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Notes:

-“The King married the prostitute — This is the gospel.” Click here. Sermon.
–PAUSE ALERT: The Up Daily Devotional is going on pause for one week but will return on July 28, 2025.
-Bible quotes are from the NIV.