In placing your faith in Jesus for salvation, you are transformed (this changes everything) from darkness to light.
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Receiving God’s gift of faith (given to all who will receive) God considers you righteous.
21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26
Also consider that Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness.
3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 (a quote from Genesis 15:6)
Your faith (a gift from God) is counted as righteousness.
Your faith, counted to you as righteousness, also faces the facts of your life.
19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Romans 4:19-25
Genuine faith is accompanied by removing everything from our lives that cast a dark shadow when presented to the Light.
3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ
will shine on you.”
15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
| Start | Stop | Continue |
| Thanksgiving (4) | Sexual immorality (3) | Thanksgiving (4) |
| All impurity | ||
| Do not partner with the sons of disobedience (7) | All covetousness | Do not partner with the sons of disobedience (7) |
| Walk as children of the light (8) | Filthiness (4) | Walk as Children of the light (8) |
| Discern what is pleasing to the Lord (10) | Foolish talk | Discern what is pleasing to the Lord (10) |
| Crude joking | ||
| Let no one deceive you (6) | ||
| Expose the unfruitful works of darkness (11) | Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness (11) | Expose the unfruitful works of darkness (11) |
| Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise (15) | Look carefully how you walk, not as unwise but as wise (15) | |
| Make the best use of your time (16) | Make the best use of your time (16) | |
| Understand the will of the Lord (17) | Do not be foolish (17) | Understand the will of the Lord (17) |
| Be filled with the Spirit (18) | Do not get drunk (18) | Be filled with the Spirit (18) |
| Address one another with Psalms (19)Hymns Spiritual songs Singing Making melody with your heart to the Lord Giving thanks always (20) and for everything to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ Submit to one (21) another out of reverence for Christ | Address one another with Psalms (19)Hymns Spiritual songs Singing Making melody with your heart to the Lord Giving thanks always (20) and for everything to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ Submit to one (21) another out of reverence for Christ |
Since by faith in Jesus for salvation everything has changed, I, by faith in Jesus have things I will start, stop and continue.
The faith that saves you is the faith that sanctifies (purifies) you.