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On our Christian walk, we’re gradually becoming more and more like Jesus Christ. Despite our progress, however, there’s still a gap between who God says we are and what we see in our everyday lives; although He says we’re the righteousness of God, sometimes we still do unrighteous things. God never contradicts Himself; although our stance in perfection was forever determined when we believed in Jesus, our state of perfection, which refers to our earthly lives, is still unfinished.

The world has enough negativity without us adding to it. As Christians, when we see someone struggling to perform perfectly but missing the mark, we need to encourage them, not condemn them. This encouragement should include ministering the truth to them about their identity as believers who have Christ living in them. . Believing that we’re the righteousness of God changes our behaviour.

In an environment that condemns us and tells us we aren’t good enough, trusting in Jesus completely flips things around for us. To be condemned means to be declared unfit and guilty; judgment and punishment are attached. This creates fear of an impending verdict of guilt being pronounced against us. By contrast, faith in Jesus justifies us even when we sin, make mistakes, and fall short.