There is a difference between who we are and what we do. It is all about our birthright and not our works or effort. There is a word that has religious overtones. This one word will change everything about your Christian experience. In 2nd Corinthians chapter 5, God made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us. He, who knew no sin, yet He was made to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God. The word righteous sounds elitist. I am righteous. Righteousness does not earn perfection. Nobody is perfect. Jesus was tempted, yet without sin. Jesus never committed a sinful act. Yet He was made to be sin. He carried the sins of all humanity. That is hard to fathom. It was transference. If that is true, I can do nothing righteous in and of myself. In fact, all of my life is as filthy garments. Yet I have been made righteous. This is the good news of the gospel. If God could make Jesus sin, He is likewise capable of making us righteous. In Him, we are righteous. We are in right standing with God. We are no longer beggars or paupers, just trying to make it in by the skin of our teeth. We are righteous. Hallelujah, AMEN!