I love when I can learn or remember something by a visual.  Don’t you?  

Yesterday our pastor, Jim Laffoon, continued on our GRACE series and gave an awesome illustration that will stick with me.  

He used the term “status change” since MOST of us have either a Facebook or Twitter account and could relate.  He shared that when we became Christians, our status is immediately changed from UNRIGHTEOUS to RIGHTEOUS!

1 Corinthians 1:30
But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin]. (Amplified Version)


2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].

Does this mean that as soon as an addict, prostitute, liar, murderer, rapist, sinner accepts Christ that they are RIGHTEOUS?  

Ok, here comes the visual!  I’m so excited!


Each of us have driven by a old house where the yard is out of control, vines growing everywhere — roof and porch about to cave.  There may be a condemned sign on the front.  In our minds that house is as good as gone.  We just wait for someone to tear it down or for it to fall down, right?


Well, what if we drive by and see a fancy sign placed in front of the house declaring it a HISTORICAL house.  The Historic Society has it MARKED so that it will never be destroyed and it has promise of being RESTORED to its original condition.  That changes everything doesn’t it?  The house still looks a wreck, but it is suddenly IMPORTANT and of great worth! 

It is the same with us.  We are stamped CONDEMNED until we accept Christ.  THEN OUR STATUS CHANGES TO RIGHTEOUS.  We are in the process of being fully restored!  

Isn’t that a great visual?

Have an awesome Monday everyone!  If you’re a Christian you have a NEW STATUS (even if you still look and feel a wreck)!  Hallelujah!

(Photo credit HERE.)