Introduction

A few weeks ago, we considered the first two of the six big hindrances to faith; namely; “Lack of Understanding Regarding the New Creation” and “Lack of Understanding of Our Place in Christ”.

We ascertained that faith could be hindered that was why Paul admonished Timothy to “fight the good fight of faith”.  We also took a practical step in confessing the word of God over our lives.

In this study we shall be considering the next two of the six big hindrances. They are:

Lack of Understanding Regarding Our Righteousness and Lack of Understanding Regarding Our Right to Use the Name of Jesus

Following from our last study and the two hindrances we will consider today in this study, it is easy to determine that “Understanding” is vital! So we should not be short of it!

1.       Lack of understanding of righteousness

A lack of understanding of righteousness holds more people in bondage than anything else.

When we read a passage of scripture like James 5:16 which says, ". . . The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." We wonder and say;

“Oh, my, if I were only righteous - if I could ever get to be righteous - God would hear my prayers.”

This is simply a trick of the enemy – keeping us away from the truth, from the awareness that we are no longer sinners but we have been made righteous!

In James 5:17 God said Elijah was subject to like passions as we are, and yet God gave Elijah as an example of a righteous man! Elijah had his high moments and his low moments; he was so inconsistent yet God called a person like that righteous? So there is absolutely hope for you and I! Psalm 32:1-2, says:

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity"

We see here that God imputed righteousness to those in the Old Testament whose sins had been covered by the blood of bulls and goats. But when we read 2 Corinthians 5:21, the Bible says,

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."

The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin and that by the new birth we become a righteous new creature.

God did not make any unrighteous new creature. We are created by God in Christ Jesus. He made us righteous new creatures in Christ. We are sons and daughters of God and stand before God as though we had never sinned. And so, we can stand in His Presence without any sense of embarrassment, guilt, or condemnation. We don't have to be tongue-tied in the Presence of our Heavenly Father because of fear. We can come into His Presence because we belong there. When we were born again, our sins were remitted because our past life stopped existing. God said that He would not remember our transgressions (Isa. 43:25). Since God doesn't remember them, why should we?

So what happens when after being born again we commit sins?

1 John 1:9 says,

 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

When, as believers we sin we feel guilty, and have a sense of unrighteousness. We naturally feel embarrassed and spiritually inferior to come into God's Presence.

But God does two things for the believer who may have sinned.

First, when the believer confesses his sins, the Lord forgives him.

Second, the Bible says that God also cleanses us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9 says the believer is cleansed from unrighteousness; therefore, he is made righteous again because the blood of Jesus actually cleanses us from all sin!

It is only the guilty that can be justifiably accused and therefore condemned! When we continue to live in condemnation (believing that God is angry with us), it affects our relationship with God and ultimately we are unable to receive from Him. So as long as we steer clear of sin and when we do sin, promptly confess our sins, then He is faithful and just to forgive us and are thus above condemnation! But when we allow the enemy becloud our minds with condemnation, we allow him prevent us from having the understanding that we are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).

He wants to confine us to that vicious cycle. We need to come boldly to the throne of grace because that is where we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. But the Devil locks us in the state of guilt and timidity preventing us from accessing the throne. But with this understanding that we are the righteousness of God in Christ, we can now boldly approach the throne of grace! Read Heb. 4:16, 10:19 and Eph.3:12

2.       Lack of Understanding Regarding Our Right to Use the Name of Jesus

This lack of understanding can also hold us in bondage and will give us a sense of weakness. But following from the initial study this year about the name of Jesus, we know what that Name will do, so we can take our rightful position of authority over Satan and enjoy victory in every area of our lives! See John 16:23 and 24.

“Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

This is a major booster of our faith! So we should ask, believe, trust and walk away in thanksgiving knowing that God will answer us and our joy will be full!

Remember when Jesus cursed the fig tree in Mark 11:12-25? He walked away knowing that God will bring it to pass. There is something “knowing” does to our faith. It is the bit that conquers our doubts!

Jesus at Lazarus’ tomb said to our Father: “I know You hear me always” John 11:42

So with this at the back of our minds, let us read MARK 16:15-18

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

These signs are for believers. Believers can cast out devils in Jesus' Name. Every believer has authority over demons and evil spirits in the Name of Jesus. Lay hands on the sick and they will recover! It is our right!

The Bible says another way to receive healing is to call for the elders of the church (James 5:14, 15). But what if we can't get in contact with the elders? We need to learn to appropriate healing for ourselves, for it legally belongs to us in our redemption.

But if we can't appropriate healing for ourselves, then by all means, send for help!

Conclusion

The less we know of what God says about us, the easier it is for the enemy to manipulate us. It is the same old trick he has applied right from the beginning – with Eve, down through the ages with the people of old until Jesus Christ where he tempted Jesus and failed woefully because Jesus was knowledgeable. Every twisted attempt was thwarted by the word of God. Matt.4:1-10.

It is the truth we know that helps our faith and ultimately sets us free.