We were all sinners at one time; but as Born Again
Believers, that is in the past tense. That is no longer our spiritual identity.
We are now saved by grace (Ephesians
2:8-9). God calls us Saints (Ephesians 2:19; Psalm 31:23). This word means “holy one.” If
we call our self a sinner, we may focus on sin and fall into sin. If we realize
that we are Saints, we will focus on holiness and live a life set apart for
Christ.
Who we are is what determines what we do. If I am a miner,
I will mine. If I am a seamstress, I will sew. If I am a mechanic, preacher,
teacher, laborer, sales person...you get the picture. Since I am a Saint, I
will live a holy life unto the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:10). We
may still fall to temptation and sin, but it is as a Saint not as a sinner,
because we no longer live in a lifestyle of sin.
We often want to change our circumstances; however, God
put them here for our edification, admonition and education. Do not struggle so
hard against the areas of your life, which you do not like (Acts 26:14). God
allows circumstances into our life, not to punish us, or to force us to do
something we do not want to do, but to enlarge our borders (1 Chronicles 4:10)
and to equip us to help others who come to us in their time of need (Luke 22:31-34).
God will create a clean heart in us (Psalm 51:10). We are coheirs with Christ and we
inherit all of God’s promises with Him (Romans 8:17; Hebrews 6:12; 2 Peter 1:3-4). We can trust God to
keep us in the palm of His hand and to continue to perfect us as His chosen
priesthood and royal nation regardless of what is going on in our life (1 Peter 2:9; Isaiah 49:16).
Prayer:
Father God, teach us to live in the awareness of Your
calling on our life (Ephesians
2:10), so that we can walk according to Your will for our life. Help us
to accept with joy what You provide for us, the good, the bad and the ugly. You
always supply what we really need, even if it is a trial. As we prove faithful
over the little things, You will give us charge over much (Matthew 25:21-23).
Thought for the Day:
Our faith does not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's
power within us. – 1 Corinthians 2:5
