Return to the Main Menu
Previous Lesson
Next Lesson

Some people think they can be good on their own by their own efforts. Some people think they can never be good. Neither of those is true. And yet, you can do what’s right when God does His work through you. You must do two things. You must pay attention to His leading. You must yield to His Spirit. Then, He will do His acts of love through you. Not only that, but He will add His goodness to you. He will transform you. That’s true. Let me explain.

Righteousness is goodness. It’s doing what’s right and not doing what’s wrong. Your transformation starts with understanding that God gives you goodness as a free gift through His grace, and grace is unlocked in you by faith. Goodness is sometimes called righteousness. The Apostle Paul affirms, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9). Righteousness is being right and good. You cannot work to be righteous. When you trust Jesus as your Savior, God sees you as righteous. That’s because Jesus paid the debt of your sin through His death and resurrection (Romans 5:17). God’s gift of righteousness goes way beyond forgiving your debt. God also wants to eliminate your rebellious sinful nature. That’s why you must yield to the Holy Spirit and ask God to soften your heart so you can fully take hold of His gift of righteousness. This gift of righteousness causes spiritual growth, transforming you into the image and likeness of Christ. As you grow, the Holy Spirit forms Christ in you more fully, while your rebellious fleshly nature has less effect on you.

Notice that righteousness is a gift God gives you. It’s not a gift you give God:

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! (Romans 5:17)”

Ask God to answer these questions.

1. What does it mean that righteousness is a gift from God?
2. How do you receive the gift of righteousness?
3. How can you yield to the Holy Spirit?
4. How does God help you do what’s right?
5. Why can’t you be good on your own?

Bonus questions:

1. How does the Holy Spirit transform you?
2. What does it mean to be like Jesus?
3. What’s the difference between trying to be good on your own versus having God work through you to do what’s right?
4. What role does faith play in unlocking God’s grace and goodness in your life?
5. How does Jesus’ death and resurrection relate to the righteousness you receive from God?
6. What does it mean to eliminate your rebellious sinful nature?
7. How does the Holy Spirit form Christ in you as you grow in righteousness?
8. What does it mean that righteousness is a gift from God and not something you give to God?

1. Pray for the Lord to protect you and keep you in His presence and His presence only.
2. Direct your mind toward the Lord only.
3. Ask God what He want’s to talk about.
4. You can ask God any questions. In all of this, be led by the Holy Spirit. God promises that He will answer you if you ask Him.
5. Do not edit or change what God says even if you don’t understand it.
6. Reject the lies and receive the truth.
7. Take notes.
8. Transfer your notes to your journal without editing what God said to you.

Keep in mind that God doesn’t want you to ever disconnect from Him. He wants to flow through you constantly in knowledge, wisdom, and love.

Flow Chart Exercise

Create a flow chart suitable for this unit. (Flow Charting Info) Flow charts show the flow of a process. The first thing that happens is usually at the top. That is followed by the second thing, then the third, fourth, and so on. Let the Holy Spirit lead you in this. (Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.) Take what you learned, your notes or what you produced and videotape yourself. Be a kid influencer for Christ with your own social media platform by uploading your video as God leads.