LIVING OUT YOUR NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST
After admonishing believers in Corinth for suing other brothers in court, rather than handling things within the Church, Paul reminded them that they had a new identity in Christ. He listed some of their former identities, which were really marked by their favorite sins. Identities like: “Fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, and extortioners” (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
Paul reminded them, “Some of you used to be like this.” In other words, that was who they once were, but no longer. Why? Because they had been “washed, sanctified and justified.” In other words, their sins and old identity were “washed” away when they received Christ as Savior. They were “sanctified,” made holy, which is the new identity of being called a saint of Christ and child of God. Finally, they were “justified,” counted righteous and being made right with God.
Why would such a one return to their old identities and old sin habits, which had once enslaved them? The one who has received a new identity in Christ, being made a “new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17), is no longer bound by their former worldly identity.
Notice Paul said some of you “used to be like this.” The word “used” is past tense. Christian stop calling yourself by your old identity. Live according to your new identity in Christ!
PRAYER: Dear Father, we have experienced Your washing, sanctification and justification. Yet we sometimes put on the old nature, the old identity. Forgive us. Strengthen us to walk by faith in the Spirit, according to our new nature and identity. Help us to put off the old and put on the new by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.