Our True Identity In Christ (Part 1) INTRODUCTION:
-- WHO are we once we become children of God?
[We found upon our conversion some major CHANGES.
Our 'wanter' has changed. . .new desires, etc.]-- What new BIBLE PROMISES have become ours?
-- What new BLESSINGS are available & received?
1. We are declared not guilty of sin.
Romans 3:24 "Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:"
[JUSTIFICATION = Just as if I had never sinned. ALL charges are removed from our record. Our record has been wiped clean.]2. No condemnation awaits us.
Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
[Without Jesus we would have NO hope at all.]3. We are free from the vicious circle of sin & death.
Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
4. We are acceptable to God thru Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:6 "To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved."
[Accepted in the beloved.
We belong to His dearly loved Son.]5. We are to be pure & holy.
I Corinthians 1:30 "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:"
[SANCTIFIED = set apart from the world unto God.
I Thess. 4:3-7 --> God's call to us unto holiness]6. We will rise again.
I Corinthians 15:22 "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."
[I Corin. 15:12-34 --> Speaks of the resurrection of the Dead.]7. We are free from trying to be saved by being good enough.
II Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
[FREEDOM in Christ. No more religious worries about trying to get your 'good' works to outweigh your 'bad' works. about being 'good' enough.]8. We are brand NEW people inside.
II Corinthians 5:17
[The New Birth brings a New Life.
The New Life under a New Master.
We are NOT reformed, rehabilitated or re-educated.]9. We are full of God's goodness.
II Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
[When we repent & trust Christ, we make a TRADE--our sin for His goodness.
Our sin was poured into Christ at His crucifixion.
His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion.His righteousness for our sin--something of immeasurable worth for something worthless.
We should be grateful for His goodness to us.
Are we a thankful people?]10. We are one in Christ with all other true Bible believers.
Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
[Context: Gal. 3:26-28 -- sons of God thru faith in Christ Jesus.
Jewish males greeted each new day by praying: 'Lord, I thank you that I am not a Gentile, a slave, or a woman.']
11. We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in heaven.
Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"
[BLESSINGS: Salvation, the gifts of the Spirit, power to do God's will, the hope of living forever with Christ See Eph. 1:20; 2:6; 3:10]12. We should be holy, faultless & covered with God's love.
Ephesians 1:4 "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:"
[We are not saved because we deserve it, but because God is GRACIOUS & FREELY GIVES it.
There is no way to take credit for our salvation or to find room for pride.
God's love truly covered & covers a multitude of sins.Has He covered YOUR sins with His love in salvation?]
CONCLUSION:
-- Please don't miss out on not being a born-again Christian!
-- An ETERNITY is far too long to be without the Lord Jesus Christ.
-- Why not let Jesus come INTO your life in a real way? -- Why not be right with God, now? TURN from your sins & TRUST Christ. -- Get under the Spout where the glory pours out! This can ONLY happen IF you are IN CHRIST JESUS.