January 5th | Our identity isn't in our performance and past failures, or status

Dear friends,

We're continuing our journey exploring our identity in Christ – who God says we truly are because of Jesus. Today, let's dive into one of the most liberating truths in Scripture: we are "justified by faith", not by works or legal effort.

Paul declares in Galatians 2:16 (NIV):

"We know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified."

Justification here is a legal term: God, the righteous Judge, declares guilty sinners "not guilty" – and even "righteous" –

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not because of our performance, but because Jesus paid our penalty on the cross and credits His perfect righteousness to us. It's all grace, received through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).

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No amount of rule-keeping or good deeds can earn this. If righteousness could come through the law, "Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:21).

This justification reshapes our entire identity. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20:

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

What an identity statement! Our old self – enslaved to sin and striving – died with Christ. Now, Christ lives in us. We live by ongoing faith in Him, empowered by His love and sacrifice.

This faith makes us children of God:

Galatians 3:26-28 –

"So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith... You are all one in Christ Jesus."

No divisions – Jew or Gentile (non-Jew, which was relevant during Paul's time) slave or free, male or female – all equal, all clothed with Christ through baptism into Him.

Galatians 4:7 –

"So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir."

Through faith:

- We are adopted into God's family – intimate, beloved children.

- We receive spiritual blessings – the Holy Spirit, fruit like love and joy, and inheritance of eternal promises (Heaven).

- Our new identity isn't earned by obedience; rather, true faith produces obedience as Christ lives through us.

Today, rest in this: Your identity isn't in your performance, past failures, or status. It's in Christ – justified, adopted, alive in Him.