“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:3
Knowing our identity is in Christ is one thing, but understanding how that changes the way we live is another. There is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom in knowing who you are in Christ. But all too often, we’re so busy living our everyday lives, we are blind to understanding our true identity in Christ and all that He paid the price for.
Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Merriam-Webster defines newness as the quality or appeal of being new.
Consider yourself dead! The old man is dead. Our old man was crucified with Him. The body of sin has been destroyed and we no longer have to serve it. You are now alive unto God through Jesus Christ. Sin no longer has dominion over you because you are under grace (Romans 6:6-23). You are free! 
You Are the Righteousness of God in Christ!
Christ has already dealt with your sin. He sees you as righteous. When God looks at us, He sees you through Jesus Christ and His finished work of the cross. We are completely accepted by God and are clothed with Jesus robes of righteousness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Beloved, God sees you as a new creation in Christ. All the old things have passed away and everything has become new. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Christ is teaching you how to be righteous and holy. He is dealing with you as one who has been raised from the dead. As you grow in Christ your desires change. Your desire becomes to please Him. Sin no longer has dominion over you. “I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8).
From God’s perspective, your relationship with Him is based on love, not rules. While God calls you to keep growing in holiness, He doesn’t reject you if you fail to live up to all of the rules. His love for you is not based on your performance. He is righteous in His thinking towards us – the way He sees us – the way He thinks about us. His thoughts are not evil – He can only do and think what is right towards us because He is righteous. We can trust Him to do the right thing by us for the sake of Jesus. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (KJV)
God encourages you to live up to your potential while also forgiving you when you fail, teaching you valuable lessons, and empowering you to keep growing. You can trust that God has your best interests at heart, because He loves you completely and unconditionally.
God is merciful, gracious, kind and good. His righteousness is impeccable . . . it’s life changing knowing He will always do right by me because we are in Christ.
Treat every day that you’re alive like the gift from God that it is, and revel in the moments God offers you to enjoy the blessings He constantly pours into your life, the joy you can find through experiencing God’s ongoing presence with you.
There is a new you to discover! Agree with God and how He sees you!
Blessings,
Minister Fran
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 