It’s very subtle, but if we listen closely, there are a lot of messages in Christian culture that tell us we are “becoming” instead of telling us we “are already.” Let me explain this, and I think you will be encouraged.
A religious view of Christianity says we need to become more merciful, patient, forgiving, kind, loving, generous, holy, righteous, and faithful. Since we all want to improve, we think to ourselves, “Yes! I want to do all of that!” But what if the gospel of grace tells us we are already all of that and more?
Let’s examine the Scriptures to see what we are told about the amazing identity we have in Christ.
We are already perfect in our identity in Christ. Hebrews 10:14 “ For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” The offering of Jesus’ death on the cross tells us that we are now perfected forever in our identity in Christ, though not in our behavior.
We are already full of faith in our identity in Christ. Ephesians 1:1 “To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.” This is not only true for the former Christians in Ephesus, but also for all who believe in Jesus since then. Did you notice that we are full of faith? That’s what faithful means. It’s not something we do that makes us that way. It’s who we are in Christ, so we can now choose to rely on Christ in us.
We are already holy in our identity in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:2 “I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus,[b] just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.” Did you know that many Christians in the metropolitan city of Corinth exhibited some very sinful behavior? They did, and Paul confronted them about it, but here, he begins his letter by reminding them and us that we are holy in our identity in Christ.
We are already patient, righteous, kind, and loving in our identity in Christ. As we believe this more and more, we mature into who we already are – perfect in Christ! However, if we don’t believe this, unfortunately, we cheapen the cross of Jesus because we believe we have to complete His finished work.
A religious view of Christianity says we need to become more merciful, patient, forgiving, kind, loving, generous, holy, righteous, and faithful. Since we all want to improve, we think to ourselves, “Yes! I want to do all of that!” But what if the gospel of grace tells us we are already all of that and more?
Let’s examine the Scriptures to see what we are told about the amazing identity we have in Christ.
We are already perfect in our identity in Christ. Hebrews 10:14 “ For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” The offering of Jesus’ death on the cross tells us that we are now perfect forever in our identity in Christ, though not in our behavior.
We are already full of faith in our identity in Christ. Ephesians 1:1 “To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus.” This is not only true for the former Christians in Ephesus, but also for all who believe in Jesus since then. Did you notice that we are full of faith? That’s what faithful means. It’s not something we do that makes us that way. It’s who we are in Christ, so we can now choose to rely on Christ in us.
We are already holy in our identity in Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:2 “I am writing to God’s church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.” Did you know that many Christians in the metropolitan city of Corinth exhibited some very sinful behavior? They did, and Paul confronted them about it, but here, he begins his letter by reminding them and us that we are holy in our identity in Christ.
We are already patient, righteous, kind, and loving in our identity in Christ. As we believe this more and more, we mature into who we already are – perfect in Christ! However, if we don’t believe this, unfortunately, we cheapen the cross of Jesus because we believe we have to complete His finished work.
Below is a link for you to view and download a PDF, which will help you remember this information. Please open, save, or print it so you can place it in a location where you can view it frequently.
