Conscious of Sin, or Conscious of Christ

The enemy loves to tell us that when we behave in ungodly ways (sin) that's proof that we are sinners no better than those who are not in Christ. If we listen to that lie, we begin to set our attention on ourselves and our behaviors and to forget who we are. In 2 Peter 1:9 (NASB 2020), Peter says, “For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”

On the other hand, when our mindset is Jesus and the fact that He has made us righteous, we are far more receptive to Holy Spirit guiding us toward godly attitudes and behavior. He shows us areas where our actions and attitudes do not reflect who He has made us. There is an uneasiness, a discomfort, a lack of fulfillment that draws us to the realization that these things do not fit us.

This is the gentle way in which we are continually being transformed by the renewing of our minds and conformed in soul (mind, will, and emotions) to the image of Christ. We are already righteous. As our mindset reflects that, we more readily access the riches of righteousness. Those riches are the grace of God and the intimate relational knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ in whom we live and move and exist.

Jesus is our life.