The decisions we make are a reflection of our preferences and priorities. The apostle teaches us that everything has been set apart for our benefit. Therefore, our choices should not be restricted or constrained. Setting limits on our choices would be regressing to a state of legalistic bondage. Being saved means being liberated from the constraints of the law. And if we are liberated from the law, we are also liberated from sin.

Every time we commit a sin, it is recorded as a negative mark against us. Being righteous in the biblical sense means being completely blameless. According to scripture, this blamelessness is a legal concept, indicating that we have no visible signs of sin. Therefore, righteousness can be understood from two perspectives. Firstly, we can view it as being declared blameless by a legal authority. This implies that God does not hold our sins against us. If God has made the decision to not count our individual sins, then we are free from feelings of guilt and shame. Secondly, righteousness can also be seen as standing before God's law, acknowledging our guilt but being released because our sins are forgotten. Being free from sin does not mean that we are immune to sinning, but rather that we are seen as innocent before God's law.

The contrasting aspect of this perspective lies in our ability to hate appropriately. When we harbor self-hatred, we perceive each decision as a transaction recorded in a ledger. This parallels the notion of seeking validation through adhering strictly to legalistic standards. However, our devotion to God is not necessarily demonstrated solely through adherence to the law, but rather through our faith in the gospel. It is important to note that we, as flawed individuals, yearn for the weight of the law to bear down on those who believe they can attain righteousness solely through legalistic practices. Those who claim righteousness independent of Christ inadvertently reveal their entanglement in the curse of the law by embracing it as a guiding force. Whenever a devout individual encounters the law, there is always an admission that they fall short in abiding by its precepts. This signifies an inherent longing for the entirety of the law to impact those who derive their righteousness from it.

We overcome challenges by responding to them with righteousness. We are aligned with God's desires, finding fulfillment in following His laws. Our achievements are not a result of God's unattainable perfection, but rather His willingness to meet us where we are. God grants us freedom to make choices that align with His will, recognizing that our human desires are not inherently sinful. His ultimate goal is to sanctify all aspects of our lives, providing us with the best opportunities for success.