YOU WERE CHOOSEN TO "LIVE" RIGHTEOUS!

                         

YOU WERE CHOSEN TO "LIVE" RIGHTEOUS

 “God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.” (Ephesians 1:4 KJV)

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God chooses you, through Jesus, and draws you to himself  “..If I (Jesus) ...WILL DRAW all men unto me…” (John 12:32 KJV). “… I … WILL DRAW all men unto me…” (John 12:32 KJV). “…I have drawn you with unfailing kindness…” (Jeremiah 3:13 NIV).

While drawing you, like Lydia, God opens your heart to respond to his choosing you. “One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message” (Act 16:14 NIV).

Can you make yourself worthy, deserving, meriting of God’s selection of you? The answer is unequivocally “NO” and “NO” to any other similar questions. "…You did not choose me but I chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV). 

There is only one way to be chosen and that’s if God chooses you. “No one can come to me except the Father which hath sent Me draw him;” (John 6:44 KJV). "… I chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV). 

And the only criterion for His choosing you is based upon his love for you and NO other reason. “Jehovah did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all peoples” (Deuteronomy 7:7 ASV).

You met no special criteria for being chosen, yet God’s love pointed YOU out. God, the Holy Spirt, chose YOU. "…You did not choose [God, the Holy Spirit]... but [God, the Holy Spirit] ... chose you….” (John 15:16 ASV). 

You have nothing to do with being chosen by God. "... I (God, the Holy Spirit) chose you, and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should abide:  that whatsoever you ask of the Father in my name he may give to you.” (John 15:16 ASV).  God is the Chooser.

However, YOU CHOOSE to respond by faith to God’s selection of you. When you respond by faith you are basically saying “God I believe you chose me simply because you love me and no other reason. I accept and receive, your offer of loving salvation, by CHOOSING you back.”  “…[YOU CHOOSE]...  this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).   

The hardest part of our relationship with God is accepting and receiving his profound love for you. The reason “God choosing you” is important is because this is where the relationship begins.

It’s not a marriage, but it’s like a marriage, but much, much greater; it’s a covenant relationship with God, the Holy Spirit. “…I will be their God, and they shall be my people...” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV). “…He that is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT [with God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

This is where God says “I do choose you” and you say, “I do choose you, too.” ^“... he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 KJV). He has “….loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). God says, “…..I… [LOVE YOU]… with an everlasting love…” ….and [you say,]… [YOU LOVE GOD]… with all your heart… mind… soul… and  understanding….” (Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 12:3 KJV).

 In the covenant relationship with God, the believer actually becomes “one” with God. “But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit...” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

Jesus said, "I and my Father are ONE." (John 10:30 KJV). Remember true spiritual “oneness” is unique to God and can be experienced through the relationship with the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Godly “oneness” is the deepest level of intimacy that can be experienced through the Holy Spirit that dwells within and UNITES with the soul.  “…He that is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT [or UNITED with God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). HOW? “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).  “...Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth “in” you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV). “…God hath said, I will dwell “in” them, and walk in them…” (2 Corinthians 6:16 KJV).

Remember spiritual “oneness” is unique to God, and is allowed to be experienced by man through the INDWELLING Holy Spirit when UNITED with the Soul. “…He that is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT [or UNITED with God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). HOW? “...the Spirit of God dwelleth “in” you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV).

The INDWELLING Holy Spirit can only be realized through the “restored” YADA relationship with God, the Holy Spirit, from salvation. Even Jesus said the “Son can do nothing of Himself” (John 5:19 KJV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…God has given [you] his [Holy] Spirit as PROOF that [he [dwells]… in [you]…” (1 John 4:13 NLT). “ … Renewal [to the covenant relationship comes] by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…” (Titus 3:4-6 NIV).  “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

“...It is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works (of uniting the Holy Spirit with man’s Soul)…” (John 14:10 KJV).

“…Christ … died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us [or reunited us] to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “… I will bring them home again (back to the covenant relationship, again),” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile (reunited) God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

God chose you, you accepted, and you are now “one” with God. The bible says, God, the Father and Jesus, the Son, ARE “ONE.” "...I and my Father are one." (John 10:30 KJV).

The Father and Son are united. You can accept and receive God’s invitation, through Jesus Christ, to become united with God, the Holy Spirit, too. “...he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). "I and my Father are one." (John 10:30 KJV). Jesus said, “…that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us,…” (John 17:21-23 NASB). Again, the “Son can do nothing of Himself” (John 5:19 KJV). “…Abide in Me, and I in you. …apart from Me (Jesus, the reconciler) you can do nothing (you can’t be REUNITED to God without the indwelling Holy Spirit)…” (John 15:4-6 NASB).

“…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…The Lord is that Spirit…” too (2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV).  “…The Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRITUAL LIFE…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…It is the SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “Jesus (the WORD) saith…I am …THE LIFE…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son (the WORD, which is Spirit) “INTO” [YOUR HEART]…” (Galatians 4:6 NASB). “…THE WORDS THAT I (Jesus) SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT, and they ARE LIFE…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…Jesus Christ (the WORD) is IN YOU…” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). “…Christ (the WORD) be “IN” YOU… (Romans 8:10 KJV). “…the Spirit of God dwell[s]… in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).

Side note: married people who have an “oneness” relationship with God will enjoy and experience a greater “oneness” with each other. “…Let no one split apart (even the married couple) what God has joined together…” (Mark 10:9 NLT). “…God, not you (the married couple), made marriage. His [HOLY]…Spirit inhabits even the smallest details of marriage…” (Malachi 2:14-16 MSG).

Usually relationships are between two people who have similar orientations to life, similar appetites, similar interests, similar beliefs, and bring an equal share of character assets to the union.

This is where the relationship between God and man and man and woman part ways.

Let’s look at how orientation, appetite, and character differences make the relationship with God imbalanced and incompatible. Most of us would not continue with such an obvious unsuitable union with another person.

In addition, the thought of trying to become one with someone who has a completely reverse orientation would seem preposterous.

When God chooses man to be in an intimate, covenant relationship HIM; mankind does not share the same orientation as God, the Holy Spirit.

Orientation refers to personal feelings, personal interests, personal beliefs, personal appetites, and self-identification. For instance, some people have different sexual orientations.

Homosexuals and heterosexuals have different orientations and do not share the same feelings, interests, or beliefs, appetites, or identities about certain aspects of life.

The same with mankind and God, the Holy Spirit, both have different orientations as well. God has a Holy orientation for all things spiritual and supernatural. God, the Holy Spirit’s feelings, interests, beliefs, appetites, and identity are all completely and absolutely HOLY.

Mankind, on the other hand, has a sinful orientation, which directs his/her feelings, interests, beliefs, appetites, and identity towards a carnal, fleshly, and secular reality. 

When people don’t share the same orientations to life or values that direct their behaviors, normally they would not mix or unite together very well or at all.

Therefore, these opposites (the HOLY God and SINFUL mankind) would most likely NOT choose each other to be in an intimate, covenant relationship with. WHY?  “[Because]…the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would...” (Galatians 5:17).

“…So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

Yet God chose YOU.

The sinful orientation is identified through “… sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies…” (Galatians 5:19-21 NIV).

 …“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings,” (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV).

Further, “…although they know the ordinance of God (his HOLY commandments), ...those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:32 NASB). The heart is often defiled with “….evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies…” (Matthew 15:19 KJV).

The “sinful orientation” derives from the “sinful nature.” You may read this list of sins and think they don’t apply to you, because you don’t do any of “those” sins. However, “…who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am pure from my sin?” (Proverbs 20:9 KJV). “... when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand...” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV). “ ... I can will what is right, but I cannot do it...” (Romans 7:14-21 RSV).

God knew your old nature and new nature would be in conflict with each other, so that when you START wanting to do right, God knew you couldn’t on your own. “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

Unfortunately, there are acceptable sins that Christians tolerate within themselves or others, just like the secular culture, and struggle with some variation of those sins in the Matthew and Galatians scriptures above.

Some “acceptable” sins have become so “common,” among believers, it is hard to distinguish the church from secular society. Not all of God’s people LISTEN to or FOLLOW his commandments. “…But my people would not listen to me...” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts...” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…They went backward instead of forward...” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

The heart is desperately wicked and deceitful and can make HIS PEOPLE believe and minimized - that talking behind other people’s back, being selfishness, holding onto un-forgiveness, backstabbing, telling little “white lies, having sex outside of marriage, rebellion, pride, stubbornness, phoniness, greed, hypocritical attitudes, rudeness, angry outbursts, self-righteousness, meanness, being judgmental, having a bad attitude, being a troublemaker, manipulating others, being abusive, and participating in other secret sins - are NOT that bad. A little bit of sin is still SOME sin.

“…from within, out of the heart of man, proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV). The heart “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).

The bible says, “....Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate...” (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). HOW?

You have been given the “gift” of righteousness or the indwelling “gift” of righteousness, through Jesus Christ, which EMPOWERS you to be right with God, live right and make right choices. “…Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because ... one ...person obeyed God, many will be made righteous…” (Romans 5:18-19 NLT). “…A right relationship with God that comes by faith (dependence upon the power of god’s word (jesus))…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “…God … does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his..… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).  “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [you]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

The indwelling Holy Spirit is “YOUR” “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV). “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me (DELIVER ME) from this life that is dominated by SIN (THE “unrighteous” SINFUL NATURE)  …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (THE WORD OF GOD CAN DELIVER YOU)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… [JESUS CHRIST, the WORD of GOD]… is the power of God at work, saving (FREEING YOU FROM unrighteousness) everyone who believes (DEPENDS UPON THE POWER OF HIS WORD)…” (Romans 1:16 NLT).

Once God, the Holy Spirit, FREES you from unrighteousness, the SINFUL NATURE no longer has “ANY” CONTROL over the SOUL. That SOUL, reunited with God, the Holy Spirit, has been MADE FREED from the POWER of SIN or UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. “…Because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death (spiritual death) …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son (THE WORD, HIS indwelling Holy Power) as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit...So letting your sinful nature control your mind (command center of the SOUL) leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind (by RENEWING the command center of the SOUL with the WORD) leads to life and peace.” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

GOD, the Holy Spirit, HAS FREED YOU FROM SIN or unrighteousness, NOT TO CONTINUE TO SIN or continue to live unrighteous, BUT TO EMPOWER YOU, THROUGH HIS INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT, TO FREELY LIVE RIGHTEOUS!

THEREFORE, “… Be transformed by the renewing of your mind (your command center)….” (Romans 12:2 KJV). “…Because you belong to him, …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). AND“… the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin  …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).“…God declared an end to sin’s control over us...” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). HOW? He has GIVEN you the indwelling “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).

 “...For he hath made him (JESUS) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him...” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV).

Jesus, the WORD, is your indwelling “GIFT” of righteousness that EMPOWERS you, through FREEDOM from sin, to be right with God, to live right, and to made right choices. “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).

The “gift” of righteousness reveals to you what God, the Holy Spirit, has done “FOR YOU” through Jesus Christ. “...For he hath made him (JESUS) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him...” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV).

He has FREED you from sin, made you HOLY so you could be reunited you with God, the Holy Spirit. Thus you are in “right” standing with God again because Jesus paid the penalty for you sins. “…He that is joined [to God through Jesus] is ONE spirit… [OR united with God, the HOLY Spirit]” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). AND“…Because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death (spiritual death) …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…A right relationship with God that comes by faith (dependence upon the power of God’s word (Jesus))…” (Romans 4:13 NASB). “…herein is love, not that we loved God, but that [God, the Holy Spirit] loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, the penalty) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV).  

“…I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN (THE “unrighteous” NATURE) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord (THE “gift” of RIGHTEOUSNESS)…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “...For he hath made him (JESUS) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him...” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV). The “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).

The GIFT of righteousness is something you RECEIVE from the indwelling Holy Spirit and is FREELY offered, to you, as “one” of the MANY blessings of SALVATION.

“... When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought [spiritual] ... death, so [spiritual] ... death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned (is born without the indwelling Holy Spirit) ... But there is a great difference between Adam’s sin and God’s gracious gift. For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought [spiritual] death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ. And the result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God (being restored, reunited with the Holy Spirit again), even though we are guilty of many sins. For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ...” (Romans 5:10-16 NLT).

 “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN (THE “unrighteous” SIN NATURE) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). The “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).

The “gift” of righteousness is “NOT” something a believer can DO, on their OWN. “….Apart from [Jesus], [a believer]… can do nothing (can NOT live righteous)…” (John 15:5 NIV).

A gift is ALWAYS something that is RECEIVED. The “… “GIFT” of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV). “…Every good GIFT and every perfect GIFT is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 KJV).  “…The LORD SHALL GIVE that which is good…” (Psalms 85:12 KJV). “…A man can receive nothing, except it BE GIVEN him from heaven…” (John 3:27 KJV). “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). “…BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH BLESSED us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV). The “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).

Right standing with God, being made righteous through HIS holiness, and being empowered to live righteous is NOT something you can earn, deserve, or become worthy of, but the “GIFT” is something you can FREELY receive. The “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV). “…the FREE gift…” (Romans 5:15 KJV). “…Since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s GRACE would not be what it really is—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:5 NLT). “…What we have RECEIVED is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has FREELY GIVEN US (unmerited favor) …” (2 Corinthians 2:12-15 KJV).

Once you RECEIVE the “gift” of righteous, YOU become righteous. “..Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “...that we might be made the righteousness of God in him...” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV). HOW?

“…God … does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his..… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…it is God which worketh in you both to will (desire to) and to do (live righteous) of his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 KJV).  “… the God of peace… that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in [you]… what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

“…the Father... [that DWELLS within YOU]… HE doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). HE “…strengthened [you]… with might by his Spirit in the inner man…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “… [HE strengthens you]…according to the POWER that worketh IN [YOU]…” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV). “… God [the Holy Spirit]  … work[s] … in … [you] … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

 The gift of righteous is received and it is revealed when, the believer, depends upon the indwelling Holy Spirit, to empower them to be right with God, live righteous, and choose righteousness. “…I want to do what is right, but I can’t…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN (THE “unrighteous” SIN NATURE) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). The “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).

“….apart from Me (the indwelling Holy Spirit), you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV). “…God … does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “… God  … work[s] … in … [you] … what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV).

The “gift” of righteous doesn’t mean you will live a perfect or sinless life without unrighteous mistakes, but it does mean when you struggle with sin, you have the indwelling Holy Spirit to HELP and EMPOWER you to live righteous.

Thus, GOD IS NOT speaking about your mistakes, shortcomings, imperfections, weaknesses, failures, or struggles which is common to those who are TRAINING for HOLINESS (or training to live FREE from sin). “... he (she)... who has suffered (struggled) in the flesh has ceased from sin...” (1 Peter 4:1 NASB). “... whoever suffers (struggles) in the body is done with sin...” (1 Peter 4:1 NLT).  “…[God’s] grace is sufficient for you, for [his indwelling] power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me…” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV).

GOD IS TALKING ABOUT YOUR ONGOING "PRACTICE" AND LIFESTYLE OF SIN, ESPECIALLY AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN SET FREE FROM IT!!! “... EVERYONE (NO EXCEPTIONS) who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness ...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB).

LISTEN, THE WORD OF GOD SAYS: “... EVERYONE (NO EXCEPTIONS) who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him (ABIDE WITH HIM) will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him ... [or] who he is. Dear children, DON'T LET "ANYONE" DECEIVE YOU ABOUT THIS: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous [and are aware they have the “gift” of righteous to EMPOWER them to live righteous], even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning [but they will struggle to live righteous, but dependence upon the indwelling Holy Spirit will EMPOWER them to cease from sinful practices], because God’s [indwelling POWERFUL] ... life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone (NO EXCEPTIONS) who does not live righteously and does not love other believers DOES "NOT' BELONG TO GOD...” (1 John 3:7-10 NLT).

IF CHRIST HAS TRULY SET YOU FREE FROM SIN and GIVEN YOU THE “GIFT” OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE WORD SAYS YOU ARE FREE INDEED (WITHOUT A DOUBT!!). “…If the Son therefore shall make you free, you SHALL be free indeed…” (John 8:36 KJV).

THEREFORE, IF YOU GO BACK TO LIVING A LIFESTYLE OF SINFUL PRACTICES or UNRIGHTEOUS LIVING, YOU WON'T GO BACK AS A SLAVE OF SIN, BUT AS A VOLUNTEER!! “…Know ye not, that to whom ye (YOU) yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye (YOU) are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV).

God LOVES his people and LOVINGLY pleads with them to REPENT when they get off the path. “… repent and DO the first works [live righteous by the empowering of the indwelling Holy Spirit]…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV). “.... STAND, fast therefore, in the LIBERTY wherewith Christ (the “gift” of righteousness) hath made ...[you] ...FREE, and BE NOT entangled AGAIN with the yoke of BONDAGE.... [UNLESS] ... Christ (the “gift” of righteousness) become NO EFFECT unto you, whosoever of you are JUSTIFED by keeping the law [through self-righteousness]; ye are FALLEN FROM GRACE... ye DID run well; who did HINDER you that ye should NOT OBEY the TRUTH? This persuasion cometh NOT of him (God, the Holy Spirit) that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump... the works of the flesh are MANIFEST....I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things SHALL NOT inherit the kingdom of God (HEAVEN)...” (Galatians 5 KJV).

God LOVINGLY pleads with HIS PEOPLE to REPENT through HIS LOVING MERCY. “…The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth…” (Exodus 34:6 KJV). “…Don't you see how wonderfully kind …God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4 NLT). “…Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily (because of God’s GRACE and MERCY) …the HEART of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil [instead of repenting]….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV). “…He is being patient for YOUR SAKE. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent…” (2 Peter 3: 9).

What is the benefit of being“...made the righteousness of God in him (Jesus)...” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)?  "... [The] ... LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield..." (Psalm 5:12 KJV). “...The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles..."  (Psalm 34:17)." … The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever..."   (Psalm 37:29 KJV). "...The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree..."  (Psalm 92:12). "…the LORD loveth the righteous..."  (Psalm 146:8 KJV). "…the seed (children) of the righteous shall be delivered..."  (Proverbs 11:21). "...For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers…"  (1 Peter 3:12).

The “GIFT” of righteous is a blessing of SALVATION that is RECEIVED when you are MADE freed from sin. Thus, you are not FREED from sin NOT to continue sin, but to FREELY live righteous.

 Therefore, a “little bit” of sin is still “some” sin. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8 KJV). BUT“…because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death (spiritual death) …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT).

Some believers want to keep their sinful ways or practices and God too. You can’t mix God’s Holy ways or righteous requirements to fit YOUR sinful lifestyle practices. “…for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness...?” (2 Corinthians 6:14 KJV).

BEING SAVED FREES YOU FROM THE AFFECTS AND INFLUENCES OF THE SIN NATURE, AND “GIVES” YOU THE “GIFT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS.

YET, HUMAN WILL IS AT LIBERTY TO CHOOSE TO ABIDE WITH JESUS CHIRST, OR CAN CHOOSE TO CONTINUE TO “PRACTICE” a LIFESTYLE OF SIN.

THEY CONTINUE TO “PRACTICE” A LIFESTYLE OF SIN, NOT BECAUSE THEY “HAVE” TO, BUT BECAUSE THEY “WANT” TO AND “CHOOSE” TO ON THEIR “OWN” VOLITION!

GOD IS IN SOVEREIGN CONTROL, BUT HE IS “NOT” CONTROLLING. ABIDING WITH GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, IS A CHOICE; NOT A FORCED RESTRICTION of HUMAN WILL. “my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

 “…for years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).

“…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT).

 Thus, “…Your INIQUITIES (falling away, departing, practicing a lifestyle of sin, etc) … separate[s] … you and your God…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…you have been cut off (SEVERED) from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE (unmerited FAVORS)…” (Galatians 5:4 NLT). “...hardened by the deceitfulness of sin...” (Hebrews 3:13 NASB).

THE SAVED WHO “CHOOSES” NOT TO ABIDE WITH GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT, ARE INADVERTANTLY SAYING “CRUCIFY HIM, CRUCIFY HIM” OUT OF THEIR OWN LIVES AND HEARTS, “... SEEING, they CRUCIFY to themselves the SON of GOD afresh and put him to open shame...” (Hebrews 6:6 KJV).

“… repent and DO the first works [of ABIDING with the WORD of GOD, the Holy Spirit and depending upon the gift of righteousness]…” (Revelation 2:5 KJV).

“…EXCEPT YE REPENT, ye shall all likewise PERISH…” (Luke 13:3 KJV).

“…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN (THE “unrighteous” NATURE) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). The “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).

Depending upon, the gift of righteousness, is a CHOICE made by the believer. The believer is “NOT” forced to abide with God, the Holy Spirit, nor do they have to depend upon the gift of righteousness; it is THEIR CHOICE.

 “…[You choose]... this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV). “…abide in me, and I in you. (John 15:4 KJV).

 REMEMBER: “... Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness ...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB). “... anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of GOD..” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB). “... those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).

 “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “… The people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

“... I forewarn you ... that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God...” (Galatians 5:19-21 NASB).

 “...The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These TWO FORCES are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN (THE “unrighteous” SIN NATURE)  …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“…The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). The “… GIFT of righteousness…” (Romans 5:17 KJV).