Christian Living
Remember Who You Are
Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
Mar 2, 2020
dgc24 ad

DECEMBER GIFT CHALLENGE

Nearly every day, it seems people invent a new way to shake their fists at God and His Word. As believers living in this sin-sick world, we must take care to keep ourselves "from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27). We do not isolate ourselves from the world, however, for then how could we bear witness? Rather, we are to live differently—but that's often easier said than done.

We are children of God, made righteous by the blood of Christ.

 
God gives us hope through Paul's letter to believers living in one of the most spiritually sick cities of the ancient world: Corinth. Some of the Corinthian believers were trying to keep one foot in the church and the other in the world, but that's impossible to do. So, Paul earnestly writes to help the church confront this temptation—to bring them into wholeness in Christ by reminding them who they already are: "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints . . ." (1 Corinthians 1:2, ESV). Paul calls the believers in Corinth—messed up as they are—saints.

Every time we deliberately sin, every time we fall into ungodly behavior, it is because we have forgotten who we are—and whose we are. We are children of God, made righteous by the blood of Christ. Armed with the Truth that God will remain faithful to us even when we are not faithful to Him—we are empowered to live holy lives as He is holy. You are saints; now live like it.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for forgetting that I belong to You—that I am a child of the eternal King. You are so full of love and mercy. May this Truth move me to run after righteousness. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints . . ." (1 Corinthians 1:2, ESV).