As imperfect human beings with our own flaws and shortcomings, we can all remember bad behavior we’ve displayed in the past. The guilt and shame made us wonder if those actions defined us. Getting caught in our mistakes, unable to change from the person we don’t want to be, is discouraging. Thankfully, relying on God to transform us makes it possible to change for the better.
Transformation begins with knowing who we really are in Christ. Unlike what the world tells us, we’re not what we do, but what God says we are. Our past mistakes don’t matter; when we get born again, we receive new identities in Christ. Anyone in Christ is a new creature; old things have passed away and all things are new.
Paul, a former sinner, completely believed in his new identity after his personal encounter with Jesus. Paul’s previous bad behavior was well-known; he had routinely made havoc of the church and put believers in prison. However, as a new creation in Christ, he could truthfully say he had wronged, corrupted, or defrauded no man. His past was gone, and he was therefore able to declare that he was pure from the blood of all men.
Despite what he had done before, Paul received grace. This caused him to change his mind concerning who he was, which in turn led to a change in behavior. For us, this means that no matter what we’ve done, getting born again frees us from having to continue associating with our old selves; that’s just not who we are anymore. We’ve gone from being from sinners to saints.
Being in Christ makes His identity our identity. We’re holy because He’s holy; as He is, so are we in this world. Holiness isn’t a conduct; holiness is a person, and His name is Jesus. Being sure of our identity in Him makes our transformation inevitable.
Prayer:
God, as Your people, we no longer have to work to be holy or righteous in Your eyes; we are righteous because You’ve declared it so. We no longer carry guilt for our past mistakes, and we can now be who You created us to be. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Acts 8:3
2 Corinthians 7:2
Acts 20:26
Ephesians 2:19
1 Peter 1:16
1 John 4:17