Have you ever wondered why there are so many Christians today who are living lives of mediocrity instead of victory? Most likely, it's because they haven't gotten a revelation of the truth of the above verses. If you have received salvation through Christ, you have been justified in the sight of God, and like the Scripture says, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) At the moment of salvation, you were changed on the inside. You were crucified with Christ, you died to the world, and you were "redeemed with the precious blood of Christ from worthless ways of living." (1 Peter 1:18) Colossians 3:3 Amplified reads, "For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God." Not only that, but the above verses confirm that at the time of your conversion, Christ Himself came to live on the inside of you through the Holy Spirit. But Satan wants you to believe that you're no different now than before you were saved. If he can convince you that you haven't changed on the inside, you will live a lifestyle that's not much different than a non-Christian's.

But once you get a revelation of your true identity in Christ, and you walk in the light of the truth, you will no longer be a defeated Christian, but a victorious one. Once that happens, you are on your way to sanctification, which is a process of growing spiritually and changing on the outside. How do we live sanctified lives in a fallen world? "By faith in the Son of God," as the verses above tell us. If you want your behavior to change so that it will be more like Christ's, then you will have to acknowledge your new identity in Christ, and you will have to resist Satan's attempts to deceive you. Of course there will be times when you sin, but the more you realize who you are in Christ, the more mature you will become spiritually, and the less vulnerable you will be to temptation. First John 5:18 says, "We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him." At the moment of salvation, God equipped you with everything you need to live a godly life in an ungodly world. Now, all you have to do is believe it. Jesus said that when we know the truth, the truth will set us free. (John 8:32) It's my prayer that today, you will begin to walk in the freedom that Christ gave His life to give you.

Prayer: Lord, your Word says that I should "consider myself dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." (Romans 6:11) Help me to do that, Lord. Cause me to realize who I really am in Christ. Show me how to walk in the light of your truth, so that the enemy cannot defeat me. I want my behavior to reflect Yours, Jesus. Thank You for setting me free so that I am free indeed! (John 8:32)