OUR IDENTITY IN CHRIST JESUS!

Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. 

And that is what we are! 

The reason the world does not know us 

is that it did not know Him.

I John 3:1

Praise God, I'm a Child of the King!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zL20ETnYnjw

Hallelujah! I am also a new creation in Christ, a temple of the Holy Spirit, one of God's holy people, one of His saints, dearly loved and so much more... not because of anything I have done, but because of Who God is and what He has done for us!

Around 2015-2016, I noticed that I kept hearing from church leaders what horrible sinners we are... quoting verses that we are the worst of sinners (I Timothy 1), and that what we want to do, we don't do, and what we don't want to do, we do (Romans 7), that all our deeds are like filthy rags (Isaiah 64), that our hearts are deceitfully wicked (Jeremiah 17), and how we are sinful from birth (Psalm 51)...  it seemed that I heard these same verses again and again and again. Yes, these are all the inspired word of God, but something seemed wrong! 

So I did some digging and wrestling and pondering and praying... and what I found as I searched scripture, is that how God identifies us, His people, is very different from what I was hearing!  We seemed to be stuck in Romans 7, with our flesh as our default, instead of walking in our new default of Romans 8 by the power of the Holy Spirit!
https://lightshininginadarkplace.blogspot.com/2020/04/the-holy-spirit-and-romans-8.html

Sinners is who we WERE! PAST TENSE!

BUT BY GOD'S GRACE, NOT ANYMORE... 

we WERE dead in our sins
we ONCE walked according to the world
we ONCE conducted ourselves in the flesh
we WERE by nature children of wrath...

BUT GOD... made us alive with CHRIST, raised us up, made us sit together in the heavenly places... 

IN CHRIST JESUS!  (Ephesians 2)

We diminish and deny the work of Christ when we denigrate our identity as believers and continue to identify as sinners! It's a false humility, that sounds pious, but does not give glory to God. Not saying we don't sin anymore, but per God's word, our identity as sinners is no longer how God views us, His beloved children!

I have been very thankful for what seems to me, like an increased emphasis in the last 2-3 years on our identity in Christ, here are some examples: 
Overcomer (movie, 2019)! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8186318/
Who You Say I am (song, 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgBB863p2vw
You Say (song, 2018) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqpNGYbcy3U

Thank You LORD, for these powerful ways that You are spreading the message of who YOU say we are as Your sons and daughters, because of Who You are! Thank You that there have been well over 100 million views on each of these songs, let alone how many have sang these words in worship! Use these words to encourage those who are struggling and searching for truth! Continue to spread Your truths in powerful and profound ways! 

Here is something I put together several years ago, on who God says we are - no longer sinners, but His saints! This is His TRUTH!

Our Identity in Christ Jesus

God, through His Word calls us blessed... the Aaronic blessing... The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the Lord lift His countenance toward you and give you His peace... Numbers 6:24-26

He calls us saints, His holy people (90+ times)...

To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints  Rom 1:7;

because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.  Rom 8:27;

To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord  I Cor 1:2;

To all the saints in Christ Jesus Phil 1:1;

He calls us sons and daughters, His children, over and over...

“I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”  2 Cor 6:18;

 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!  I John 3:1;

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith  Gal 3:26; 

He calls us righteous...

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers  I Peter 3:12

He calls us dearly beloved

He calls us temples of the Holy Spirit

He calls us new creations in Christ

He calls us anointed

He calls us upright in heart

He calls us faithful and Godly

He calls us those who fear Him

He calls us friends, forgiven, redeemed, cherished, loved, upright, Beloved of God (Rom 1:7), Beloved Brethren (James 2:5), Children of God (John 1:12), Sons of the Living God (Rom 9:26), Sons of the Most High (Luke 6:35), Children of the Promise (Rom 9:8), Dear Children (Eph 5:1), Elect of God (Col 3:12), The Faithful (Ps 12:1), The Godly (2 Pet 2:9), Heirs of God (Gal 4:7), Holy/Royal Priesthood (I Pet 2:5-9), The Just (Hab 2:4), Little Children (1 John 2:1), Living Stones (1 Pet 2:5), Special People (Titus 2:14), Slaves of Righteousness (Rom 6:18), Sheep of Christ (John 10:1-16), Servants of Christ (1 Cor 7:22), Salt of the Earth (Matt 5:13:16), His treasured people (Malachi 3:17), etc.!

and this list is not complete!

Of the 50 or so times where sinner is mentioned in scripture, the context is almost always referring to unbelievers, not those who are saved.

ALSO... Scripture tells us over and over that God's people are BLESSED!

  

WE are BLESSED!

God created man in His own image... male and female He created them.  Then God blessed them...  Gen 1:27-28

the Aaronic blessing... The LORD bless you and keep you, The LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, the LORD turn His countenance toward you and give you His peace... Numbers 6:24-26

Blessed are those... who delight in the law of the Lord... Ps 1:1-2

Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him.   Ps 2:12

Salvation belongs to the Lord. Your blessing is upon Your people  Ps 3:8

For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him...  Ps 5:12

You (God) give blessings to the pure  Ps 18.26

Save Your people and bless Your inheritance.  Ps 28:9a

The Lord will bless His people with peace.  Ps 29.11

Blessed are they whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin in covered.  Blessed are those to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit.  Psalm 32:1-2

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.  Psalm 33:12

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!  Psalm 34:8

Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.  Psalm 40:4

Blessed is he who considers the poor; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.  Psalm 41:1

The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him.  Psalm 67:6-7

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.  Psalm 84:4

Do not fear, I am with you;  do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10

Beatitudes... blessed are the poor, those who mourn, the meek, the merciful, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the peacemakers, the pure in heart, the persecuted for My Name's sake...  Matt 5:3-12;

and God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  2 Corinthians 9:8

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ ..Ephesians 1:3;

And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.  Phil 4:19

Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”  Rev 19:9