The Boldness of a Lion
Through faith in Christ's perfect righteousness, we are empowered to live a life of boldness, freedom, and service to God.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the boldness that comes from claiming the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ as our inheritance. He explains that this righteousness, credited to us by faith, liberates us from fear and feelings of unworthiness, allowing us to stand confidently before God. Wilkerson reassures believers that while they may feel inadequate, they can rely on Christ as their Advocate, and that true holiness and good works stem from a heart of love rather than fear. He encourages Christians to embrace their identity in Christ, which empowers them to live righteously and serve God joyfully. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life transformed by the understanding of Christ's righteousness and the freedom it brings.
Text
Jesus Christ has left me an inheritance and I claim it as mine. Scripture says, "The righteous are bold as a lion" (Proverbs 28:1). If you can accept this truth of the perfect righteousness of Christ, you will have the boldness of a lion. You will never again fear any person or look at someone else's life and feel unworthy. You can say, "I have the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ credited to me by faith. No, it's not mine, it's His, but it's accounted to me by Jesus Himself, so I may call it my own!"
It is time to stop your struggling. If the devil comes to you and says, "You're no good, you have no righteousness," you can answer, "I know I'm no good. I have no righteousness in myself but I do have the righteousness of Jesus Christ. I've failed God but I have an Advocate with the Father -- Jesus Christ the righteous!"
When you stand before the Lord, you will not have to tremble, thinking, "What am I going to offer Him? What did I do right or wrong?" No, you will be thinking, "I have nothing in myself to offer Him because I have His righteousness -- by faith."
Does this mean Christians are not obligated to do good works? Not at all. Justification by faith and the imputed righteousness of Christ sets the soul free to walk in holiness and do good works. Good works done in slavish fear bring no glory to God -- they must flow out of a loving heart. Walking in true holiness is possible only to those who have laid hold of their inheritance -- Christ's perfect righteousness -- because they are no longer imprisoned by fear and condemnation.
His perfect righteousness is mine by faith and now I am free and released to serve Him as a bondservant of love. Now, by the power of the Holy Spirit promised in the New Covenant, He turns me from all iniquity and empowers me to live out the righteousness He credits to me.
Sermon Outline
- The Boldness of a Lion
- Understanding the Perfect Righteousness of Christ
- Claiming Christ's Righteousness by Faith
- Breaking Free from Fear and Condemnation
Key Quotes
“The righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1).” — David Wilkerson
“I have the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ credited to me by faith.” — David Wilkerson
“I have nothing in myself to offer Him because I have His righteousness -- by faith.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must stop struggling with our own righteousness and accept Christ's perfect righteousness by faith.
- Good works should flow out of a loving heart, not from a place of fear or condemnation.
- The perfect righteousness of Christ empowers us to live a life of holiness and serve God as a bondservant of love.