Your Identity in Christ

“Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

You are locked into a bad habit you cannot seem to lick. The more you try to do what God says is right, the tighter the vise. You struggle - for months, for years. There is some measure of release at times, but you still feel captive to the problem.

If that sounds like a familiar scenario to you, don’t give up. God has provided a way of escape, no matter how deep the bondage. He is the Rescuer. There is help in the battle. Knowing the truth, not struggling against the lie, is what sets you free. Receiving the victory, not trying to attain it, is Christ’s liberating message.

When the apostle Paul penned his first epistle to the Corinthians the church was a mess. The people lived in immorality, were involved in idol worship, and quarreled about their leadership. You would think Paul would immediately berate the Corinthians. Instead, he begins his letter with a remarkable description of their identity in Christ. He calls them “saints” or “holy ones.” He says they “have been sanctified,” not “will be sanctified.” He continues to remind them of the grace richly available to them.

Paul spoke the truth that sets men free - knowing you are in Christ will change your behavior.

“For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6