Devotionary

God had graciously given Paul what he could have never merited on his own: A relationship with Himself based on the saving work of Jesus Christ. Paul knew who he was and he had no problem admitting that it was because of God.

Just as a branch can’t produce grapes unless it abides in the grapevine. Fruitfulness is not the byproduct of human effort. It is the result of dependence upon God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

One of the debates concerning our sanctification centers on roles and responsibilities. Who is responsible for your sanctification or growth in Christlikeness? Is it all up to God? Does it all fall on your shoulders? Or is it some combination of the two?

We are to come to grips with our true identity in Christ. And we are to let our knowledge of that identity dictate the way we live our lives. Knowing who you are can go a long way in helping you accomplish your God-given purpose in life.

In this episode, we’re going to continue to explore the firm grasp Jesus had on His identity. He didn’t let what others thought of Him or did to Him determine His identity. He was comfortable in His own skin and at peace with His Father’s will for Him.

If Jesus failed to recognize who He was and why He had come, he could be distracted by false promises of pleasure, power, and prominence. But He refused to buy what Satan was selling. And so should we.

Paul provides the incredibly good news that we already have the mind of Christ. It is not something we have to seek out. It exists within us because of the presence of the Holy Spirit. And, as a result, we can understand the things of God.

Jesus knew who He was and what He had come to do. And that knowledge influenced His actions. Jesus never lost sight of His identity and never stopped thinking about His God-given mission. And neither should we.

Christians are alive to God in Christ Jesus. But we must constantly remind ourselves of this new reality. Sin has lost its hold. Death has lost its sting. Christ has made us new creations. And we should live like it.

Through the indwelling presence of His Spirit, Jesus regenerates the life of those dead in their trespasses and sins. And the stink of spiritual death gets replaced with a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.

Our ability to express love to God and others is not self-manufactured or the product of our own determination. It is the result of Christ’s redemptive work on our behalf and the indwelling presence of the Spirit of God in our lives.

Jesus came to live as a man, but more importantly, so that He might die in the place of sinful men. And because He lived in perfect obedience to His Father we are able to live to righteousness.

Jesus was set apart by God and given a specific role to play. And the same is true of us. We too have been set apart and deemed holy by God. We are one with Christ. And we share in all that is His – both in this life and in the one to come.

Far too often, the glory Christ's presence is supposed to ensure, seems in short supply. But the amazing doctrine of sanctification guarantees our unbroken union with Christ, made possible through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

We still find it hard to imagine the third person of the Trinity actually taking up residence within us. Especially when we consider how unsuitable our earthly tents can become at times. But His presence is proof of our righteousness.