KNOW who you are...

I don't know about you but I spend a lot of time trying to make God happy with me.  I'm either putting myself into the dog house because I haven't behaved like a christian (thinking this will please him) or I'm feeling confident because I HAVE done what I am supposed to do and therefore feel a sense of pride over my supposed righteousness (and I'm pretty sure this pleases God too...acting righteously). Wrong and wrong!  I belong neither in the dog house nor on a righteous "high."  I belong safe in the arms of the one who sat in the dog house FOR ME thus purchasing my righteous standing.  Get it?  I'm presently righteous in God's eyes not because of what I do (or don't do) but because of what Jesus did for me.  He did the work so I don't have to.

Now, you might say 'but wait, James says that "faith without works is dead" (James 2 ).'  In other words, while my faith in Christ saves me and makes may righteous in God's sight, my good works are the evidences that my faith is real.  This is true.  The key, however, to making this principle a reality in daily living without thinking we have to work our way into God's favor is this:  Live practically what you already are positionally.

KNOW who you are in Christ...and live like it! KNOW that you are secure, loved, forgiven and blessed and then live to demonstrate it.  When you sin, you are forgiven, when you succeed, it's because Christ succeeded for you.  When you fail, Christ knew it ahead of time and loved you anyway, and when you have freedom, remember it was purchased for you on the cross before you ever knew you weren't free.

KNOW who you are in Christ.  If you do, you'll never find yourself on a righteous "high" or in the dog house again.