The apostle Paul had a analogy in Romans 4 perplexing me until just recently.
Abraham and Sarah were just too old to have children but God had promised. Instead of focusing on the contradiction he saw in his body, Abraham believed what God had said and held fast.
God took Abraham’s faith in the Promise and considered him righteous, right then and there, in spite of the fact he was not all that holy before or after.
How could Abraham’s faith for a son be compared to my faith in Jesus? It’s found in the way we, both, view(ed) the contradictions in our “flesh”.
Abraham was promised a son, but his flesh told him otherwise – he believed the promise.
We are told we have been (past tense) crucified with Christ, raised to new life in/with Christ, Holy and seated with him in heavenly places, but our flesh tells us otherwise – we believe the promise.
If God calls me righteous right here and now, that’s good enough for me.
“Abraham didn’t focus on his own impotence and say, ‘It’s hopeless…’ That’s why it is said, ‘Abraham was declared fit before God by trusting God to set him right. But it’s not just Abraham; it’s also us! The same thing gets said about us when we embrace and believe” – Romans 4:19-25 Message
When giving directions to my house I tell some people to turn right onto my street, others I tell to turn left. I’m not confused about where I live nor am I contradicting myself, my instructions depend on which way people are headed when they come to my street.
Patrikin - Kinship through The Father 