Since you are a saint in Christ by God's calling, you share in Christ's inheritance. That which is true of Christ is now true of you, because you are in Christ. It's part of your identity. The list below itemizes in first-person language who you really are in Christ. These are some of the scriptural traits which reflect who you become when you accept Christ into your heart. You can't earn them or buy them any more than a person born in America can earn or buy the rights and freedoms he enjoys as an American citizen. They are guaranteed to him by the Constitution simply because he was born in the United States. Similarly, these traits are guaranteed to you by the Word of God simply because you were born into God's holy nation by faith in Christ.

Who am I?

I am a salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13)

I am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)

I am a child of God. (John 1:12)

I am part of the true vine, the channel of Christ's life. (John 15:1,5)

I am Christ's friend. (John 15:15)

I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear his fruit. (John 15:16)

I am a slave of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)

I am enslaved to God. (Romans 6:22)

I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father. (Romans 8:14, 15; Galatians 3:26; 4:6)

I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing his inheritance with him. (Romans 8:17)

I am a temple - a dwelling place-of God. His spirit and His life dwells in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)

I am united to the Lord and am one spirit with Him.(1 Corinthians 6:17)

I am a member of Christ's body. (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 5:30)

I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

I am reconciled to God and am a minister of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19)

I am the son of God and one in Christ. (Galatians 3:26, 28)

I am an heir of God, since I am a son of God. (Galatians 4:6, 7)

I am a saint. (Ephesians 1:1)

I am God's workmanship-his handiwork-born anew in Christ to do his work. (Ephesians 2:10)

I am a fellow citizen with the rest of God's family. (Ephesians 2:19)

I am a prisoner of Christ. (Ephesians 3:1, 4:1)

I am righteous and holy. (Ephesians 4:24)

I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now. (Ephesians 2:6)

I am hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

I am an expression of the life of Christ because he is my life. (Colossians 3:4)

I am chosen of God, holy and dearly love. (Colossians 3:12)

I am the son of light and not of darkness. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

I am a holy partaker of a heavenly calling. (Hebrews 3:1)

I am a partaker of Christ; I share, in his life. (Hebrews 3:14)

I am one of God's living stones, being built up in Christ as a spiritual house. (1 Peter 2:5)

I am a member of a chosen race, all royal priesthood, a holy nation, people for God's own possession. (1 Peter 2:9, 10)

I am an alien in stranger to this world in which I temporarily live. (1 Peter 2:11)

I am an enemy of the devil. (1 Peter 5:8)

I am a child of God and I'll resemble Christ when he returns. (1 John 3:1, 2)

I am born of God, the evil one cannot touch me. (1 John 5:18)

I am not the great "I am" but by the grace of God, I am what I am. (1 Corinthians 15:10)

Because you are in Christ, every one of those characteristics is completely true view, and there's nothing you can do to make them more true. But you can make these traits more meaningful and productive in your life by simply choosing to believe what God has set about you. One of the greatest ways to help yourself grow in maturity in Christ is to continually remind yourself who you are in Him. Read the list once or twice a day for a week or two. The more you reaffirm who you are in Christ, the more your behavior will begin to reflect your true identity. If you're beginning to think you are someone special as a Christian, you're thinking right-you are special! Your specialness is not the result of anything you have done. It's all God's doing. What is the believers hope? That he will someday be changed in the Christ's image? That's part of it, but that's only a future hope. What is your hope for today and tomorrow? That your child of God now! And the person whose confidence is in being a child of God "purifies himself"-he begins to live according to his perception. Let me state that again: no person can consistently live in a manner that is inconsistent with how he perceives himself. You must see yourself as a child of God in order to live like a child of God. The blessed hope for the believer this side of the rapture is "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27)

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Hebrews 4:12-13 The Word of God is not simply a collection of words from God, a vehicle for communicating ideas; it is living, life-changing, and dynamic as it works in us. With the incisiveness of a surgeon's knife, God's Word reveals who we are and who we are not. It penetrates the core of our moral and spiritual lives. It discerns what is within us, both good and evil. The demands of God's Word requires decisions. We must not only listen to the Word; we must also let it shape our lives. How are your lives being shaped today? I pray that you allow the Word to minister to you and rest on your heart all day long. God Bless you and keep you, J.H.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for us . . . But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have not been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Romans 5:6,8-10 While we were still sinners - these are amazing words. God sent Jesus Christ to die for us, not because we were good enough, but because He loved us. Whenever you feel uncertain about God's love for you, remember that He loved you even before you knew Him or accepted Him. If God loved you when you were a rebel, He can, according to His Word, strengthen you in His Power, now that you love Him in return. The love that caused Christ to die for us is the same love that sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us every day. The power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power that saved you and is available to you in your daily life. Be assured that, having begun a life with Christ, you have a reserve of power and love to call on each and every day, for help to meet every challenge. I pray for God's power and love in your life today. God Bless you, J.H.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:22-24 Justified means to be delcared not guilty. When a judge in a court of law declares the defendant not guilty, all the charges are removed from his record. Legally, it is as if the person had never been accused. When God forgives our sins, our record is wiped clean. From His perspective, it is as though we had never sinned. Faith springs from hope. Where are you placing your hope today? I pray that it is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God bless you, J.H.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4 This often-quoted passage of Scripture is full of God's promises. If you follow Jesus, He promises you will be content right where you are. In the midst of turmoil, he promises Peace. He promises you food to eat (green pastures) and water to drink (quiet waters). He promises you direction as you walk the path of purpose in your life, fulfilling the destiny that He gave you. And while He does not promise to control every circumstance or keep you from going through some stuff in life, He does promise to be with you every step of the way. Who are you following today? God Bless you, J.H.

When God measures a man (or woman), He puts the tape around the heart instead of the head. . . . The Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7