Something about thinking about God’s grace during worship recently made me remember my season of rebellion.  That’s what I call it, because that is what it was.  I knew better.  Yet I knowingly made some stupid decisions.  I was really focused on myself and figuring out who I was, when I should have been focused on Jesus and figuring out who He said I was.  Needless to say that season came to an end, after which I worked through what Beth Moore calls, “When Godly People Do Ungodly Things,” which is a lot different than when uncommitted or non-believers do ungodly things.

Our God is awesome and has fortunately used my mistakes to help me to better understand and speak into the lives of people making similar mistakes.  One of the huge things I’ve learned and was thinking of again this morning is that we are not defined by our sins.  I was feeling the guilt of my former sins and I reminded myself that I am not defined by my sins.  No where in scripture are believers referred to as “sinners.” That is not our identity.  We are saints who sin, but our identity is not in being a “sinner.”  Our identity is that we are His.  We are in a spiritual battle.  Satan wants to beat you up and make you feel unworthy of God’s grace.  Satan wants you to be stuck in shame and guilt.  But friends, that is not the good news!  The good news is that Jesus redeemed us!  He paid the price and bought us back and made us his!  There is no longer condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!
 
In this war we are on God’s side.  We have won the battle thanks to Jesus.  We just need to hang in there.  There is NOTHING that Satan can do to get you on his side because it is your choice who you want to follow, not his.  The only thing Satan can do is feed you lies to make you feel like crap, to make you feel unworthy, to distract you from the truth of who you are.  Pure. Holy. A beloved child of God. You belong to the King.  You are on the good side.  You have purpose to glorify your God no matter what life or then enemy brings your way. Regardless of whatever mistakes you’ve made, whatever wrongs have been committed against you, or the sin you’re stuck in, what Jesus did on the cross was sufficient for you to be forgiven and free.  Know that truth.  Do not define yourself by your sins.  Define yourself by who you are in Him. Define yourself by whose you are and the mighty calling He has placed on your life: to glorify our Great God.