We have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10:10 (NIV)
Series Focus: “Through His Eyes”
Do you get stuck in a rut, replaying your mistakes, failures, and unholy moments? Who knows those dark secrets any better than you? Motives, intents, desires—all rooted in selfishness, jealousy and pride. Every single one of us have memories of such weaknesses and error in our past…maybe distant…maybe seconds ago.
The real question is this: Do we allow our identity to be defined from these instances? Or, do we look unto Jesus, the One who became sin for us; whose blood washes us white as snow; who died so that we may live?
Paul wrote in Romans 5:1-2 (NASB):
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God.
And, in 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB), Paul teaches this truth:
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
If we are in Christ, then our identity is found in Him. We are no longer unrighteous and unholy. Through our faith in Him, we are made holy, pure, sanctified, and righteous.
In 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NASB), we are encouraged to “be holy:”
Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Sometimes, our behavior seems to prove we are not holy at all. But what does “holy” actually mean? Dictionary.com says holy means these things: declared sacred; dedicated or devoted to the service of God; godly; spiritually pure.
Jesus accomplished holiness for us! We are sacred, sanctified, set apart for Him. We are image-bearers of God, created to glorify Him as we fulfill His purpose in the earth. As Christ followers, we carry the presence of God with us everywhere we go. And because Christ lives in us, we are godly and pure.
Be encouraged to see yourself as God sees you: holy, pure, justified, and at peace with Him. God has not called you to be someone you cannot be. He has made the way for you to fulfill your calling, in and through your faith in Jesus.
Say this out loud: “I am holy because God has made me holy through Jesus. I believe this truth about myself and I rejoice in God’s faithfulness to me.” Hallelujah! Amen!
Holding Fast to Hope,
Maryann
Scripture References: John 17:19; Romans 5:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:15-16; 2:9; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 10:10; 1 Corinthians 6:19