Today's reading

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. –Galatians 2:20 NIV

day 

23

Identity

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. –Galatians 2:20 NIV

Have you ever felt condemned for something you’ve done or neglected to do? Romans 8:1 (NIV) tells us “…there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” But do we believe it? Do we really understand why there’s no condemnation?If each of us were asked, “Who are you?” the typical response would include what we do, where we live, and a list of our major accomplishments. But is that who we really are?When we feel condemned, it’s because we’re focusing on our failures. We get frustrated because we never feel as though we’re good enough. And, the truth is that we’re not! Our greatest attempt at righteousness is as “filthy rags” in the sight of our Holy God. However, when we are born again, we no longer have to depend on our accomplishments.It’s no longer about what we do, or who we are; it’s about who Christ is. His identity now becomes ours, and condemnation no longer has power over us. His death, burial, and resurrection transformed each of us into a new creation, one that never existed before. The Holy Spirit gently reminds us of wrong doings so that we can repent. We are convicted, but not condemned.Who, then, are we? We are born-again, Spirit-filled, Word-believing, faith-talking children of the King.

prayer focuses

Lord, help me to stop focusing on my perceived failures and inadequacies and to begin living like a child of the King.

Thank You, Lord, that You have given me a new identity in Christ Jesus.

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about the

Author

Brenda Beattie

Brenda Beattie is a retired letter carrier and an active Chaplain for the USPS. She and her husband retired to Bradenton because they loved their church, Bayside Community Church. She has self-published two books, "Finding Sacred Ground In The Daily Grind," and "The Case Of The Missing Letter." She is also a repeat author for "Chicken Soup For The Soul." Her articles appear monthly in the "Mountaineer," a postal publication. Her hearts desire is to encourage and to give hope.