When you hear the voice of the accuser condemning you, remind yourself that you are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).

Gospel Corner

07/08/25

Joel Osteen Ministries

Today’s Word
Today’s Scripture
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy.”
Acts 20:24, NKJV

Immovable
It’s great when feelings assist us, when we feel hopeful, positive, encouraged. But you can’t depend on those feelings because they come and go. Feelings can lead you astray. If you’re only going to have a good mood if things go your way, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. That’s surface living. You have to go deeper and say as Paul did, “None of these things move me. I’m not going to let other people, delays, or what doesn’t work out to sour my day.” In other words, turn it over to God.

You’re not supposed to go through life carrying around worries, stress, disappointments, and discouragement. Yes, you have some negative feelings, but you don’t have to let the feelings have you. You may feel upset, but you don’t have to act on it. You may feel offended, but you don’t have to take in the offense. You may feel discouraged, but you can override it with thoughts that are full of faith, hope, and expectancy. Get your mind going in a new direction and choose to have a good mood.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that I can shut the door on the negative feelings that come against me and keep what You have promised and said about me close to my heart. Thank You that none of these things need move me. I declare that my hope and expectancy is in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Beloved, understanding the purpose of the law is critical to your relationship with God. He gave the law for one purpose: that you would have the knowledge of sin and recognize your need for a Savior.

Without the law, there would be no sin (Rom. 4:15). For example, if there is no law on how fast you can drive on a particular road, that is, if there is no speed limit, the state trooper cannot stop you and give you a ticket for speeding. In simple terms, no law equals no sin. No recognition of sin equals no need for a Savior!

The law was thus given to bring man to the end of himself so that in his despair, he would see his need for Jesus. Because of the law, no man can say that he is not a sinner and no man can say that he doesn’t need Jesus.

That is the purpose of the law. It was not designed to make you godly, but to expose your ungodliness.

What the devil wants to do is keep the law over your head all the time so that you constantly feel condemned and guilty. That is how he keeps you trapped in a cycle of defeat. The devil is the master legalist who constantly reminds you of how unworthy you are of God’s blessings. Known as the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10), here are some of his common attacks:

You call yourself a Christian?

You are a hypocrite!

Forget about praying. God will never listen to your prayers.

Look at your life. How dare you step into church?

My friend, these are lies, all lies! The devil is using the law to make you conscious of all your shortcomings. But through Jesus Christ, you are no longer under the condemnation of the law. The devil has been disarmed by the power of the cross!

Jesus, who knew no sin, was condemned on your behalf on the cross. Through Jesus Christ, you are now made righteous apart from the works of the law. So when you hear the voice of the accuser condemning you, remind yourself that you are the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:21). Declare it out loud! Come on, say it with me three times, each time louder than the first:

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ!

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ!

I am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ!

Righteousness is a gift. It is not a reward for perfect obedience to the law. You are clothed today not in your own righteousness, which is self-righteousness, but with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. God sees you as righteous as Jesus Himself. This is your permanent, eternal standing before Him because of what Christ has done for you.

And hey, when you are clothed in Jesus’ righteousness, any obstacle that tries to obstruct you from living your life to the fullest, whether it’s an addiction, sickness, fear, or depression, has to go!