“I’m just a sinner saved by grace” - such a commonly heard phrase throughout Christianity. While not necessarily false, is this the identity we want to carry, or better yet even our true identity in Christ?

Could continuing to live in the identity of a sinner cause us to sin more? The late Dr. Adrian Rogers once said, “The me I see is the me I’ll be.” The perception we have of ourselves impacts the way we live our lives. If we see ourselves only as sinners, how could we expect to do anything but continue to live in this sin we identify with?

By no means am I declaring myself the perfect man, without sin, who does no wrong. I know that every single day I screw up in some way, shape, or fashion. But there’s absolutely no reason for me to wallow in the sins I commit.

The only perspective of ourselves that truly matters is God’s.

Jesus has already paid the price for forgiveness. Because of his sacrifice, God invites us to walk out every day in forgiveness. Jesus has reconciled our relationship with the Father and has made us holy and blameless in His sight. I can say with full confidence I am no longer defined by the sin I have committed and will commit in the future. I am a truly loved, redeemed, child of the Most High.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1