Embracing Our Identity: Grace, Righteousness, and Freedom

Devotional

Day 1: Grace-Based Covenants

The Abrahamic and New Covenants are grace-based, emphasizing God's unconditional love and promises. The Mosaic Covenant, however, is performance-based, requiring adherence to the law for blessings. Understanding these distinctions helps us appreciate the grace we live under today. The Abrahamic Covenant was established with promises that were fulfilled through Jesus, making it accessible to all who believe. The New Covenant, established by Jesus' sacrifice, offers us grace and forgiveness, not based on our performance but on His finished work. This understanding shifts our focus from striving to earn God's favor to resting in His unconditional love.

[01:15:01]

Galatians 3:14 (ESV): "so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith."

Reflection: How does understanding the grace-based nature of the Abrahamic and New Covenants change the way you view your relationship with God today?

Day 2: The Sanctification Process

As Christians, our spirit is sanctified once and for all through Jesus' finished work. However, our soul and body undergo a continuous process of sanctification. This duality means that while we are positionally perfect in spirit, our minds and bodies are still being renewed. This ongoing process involves daily surrender and cooperation with the Holy Spirit, who works in us to transform our thoughts, attitudes, and actions to align with our new identity in Christ. Understanding this helps us to be patient with ourselves and others, knowing that sanctification is a journey.

[01:22:09]

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you see the need for ongoing sanctification? How can you cooperate with the Holy Spirit in this process today?

Day 3: Intrinsic Righteousness

Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are not just forgiven sinners; we are made intrinsically righteous and innocent. This transformation is not merely positional but also intrinsic, changing our very nature and empowering us to live righteously. Many Christians struggle with the "Jesus glasses syndrome," believing that God sees them as righteous only through Jesus' lens. However, the truth is that we are made new creations, intrinsically righteous, and this new identity empowers us to live out our righteousness in daily life.

[01:35:31]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: How does knowing that you are intrinsically righteous through Jesus' sacrifice change the way you approach your daily life and decisions?

Day 4: Living from Innocence

Jesus' sacrifice on the cross reversed the curse of sin, making us new creations. This new identity empowers us to live righteously, not out of obligation but out of our new nature in Christ. Understanding our restored innocence helps us live in freedom, free from guilt and shame. Just as Adam and Eve lived in innocence before the fall, we are called to live from a place of restored innocence, embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God and walking in the freedom that Christ has provided.

[01:41:54]

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV): "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

Reflection: What areas of guilt or shame are you holding onto that Jesus has already freed you from? How can you embrace your restored innocence in Christ today?

Day 5: Empowerment through Identity

Knowing our true identity in Christ as innocent and righteous transforms our lives. It shifts our focus from sin-consciousness to son-consciousness, empowering us to overcome addictions and live in the freedom Christ has provided. This empowerment comes from understanding who we are in Christ and living out of that identity. When we see ourselves as God sees us, we are empowered to live victoriously, overcoming the challenges and temptations that come our way.

[01:46:33]

1 John 3:1-2 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is."

Reflection: How does knowing your identity as a child of God empower you to live differently? What specific steps can you take today to live out this identity?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone! Today, we honor the longstanding members of our church who can't be with us physically but join us online. We also appreciate our incredible technical team for making our services accessible to everyone. Today, we embark on a new series titled "Amazing Grace," continuing the themes from our recent Grace and Glory conference.

We explored the three major covenants in the Bible: the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenants. The Abrahamic and New Covenants are grace-based, while the Mosaic Covenant is performance-based. Importantly, these covenants were made with Israel, not with Gentiles directly. However, through Jesus, Gentiles are grafted into the blessings of these covenants.

We delved into the concept of sanctification, emphasizing that as Christians, we are sanctified in our spirit once and for all through Jesus' finished work. However, our soul and body undergo a continuous process of sanctification. This duality means that while we are positionally perfect in spirit, our minds and bodies are still being renewed.

A key point is understanding our identity in Christ. Many Christians suffer from what I call the "Jesus glasses syndrome," where they believe God sees them as righteous only through Jesus' lens, but intrinsically they feel like sinners. This is incorrect. Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are not just forgiven sinners; we are made intrinsically righteous and innocent. This transformation is not merely positional but also intrinsic.

We discussed the importance of living from a place of innocence, as Adam and Eve did before the fall. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross reversed the curse of sin, making us new creations. This new identity empowers us to live righteously, not out of obligation but out of our new nature in Christ.

Finally, we celebrated our restored innocence and righteousness through Jesus. This understanding should lead us to live in freedom, free from guilt and shame, and fully embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God.

###

Key Takeaways

1. based, emphasizing God's unconditional love and promises. The Mosaic Covenant, however, is performance-based, requiring adherence to the law for blessings. Understanding these distinctions helps us appreciate the grace we live under today. [01:15:01]
2. Sanctification Process: As Christians, our spirit is sanctified once and for all through Jesus' finished work. However, our soul and body undergo a continuous process of sanctification. This duality means that while we are positionally perfect in spirit, our minds and bodies are still being renewed.

3. Intrinsic Righteousness: Through Jesus' sacrifice, we are not just forgiven sinners; we are made intrinsically righteous and innocent. This transformation is not merely positional but also intrinsic, changing our very nature and empowering us to live righteously.

4. Living from Innocence: Jesus' sacrifice on the cross reversed the curse of sin, making us new creations. This new identity empowers us to live righteously, not out of obligation but out of our new nature in Christ. Understanding our restored innocence helps us live in freedom, free from guilt and shame.

5. Empowerment through Identity: Knowing our true identity in Christ as innocent and righteous transforms our lives. It shifts our focus from sin-consciousness to son-consciousness, empowering us to overcome addictions and live in the freedom Christ has provided.

### [75:01]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[73:39] - Honoring Longstanding Members
[74:20] - Introduction to New Series: Amazing Grace
[75:01] - Understanding the Three Major Covenants
[76:26] - Gentiles Grafted into the New Covenant
[77:07] - The Covenant Between the Father and the Son
[78:05] - The New Commandment: Love One Another
[79:39] - Living from Innocence
[80:26] - The Human Being: Spirit, Soul, and Body
[82:09] - Sanctification: Once and Ongoing
[84:08] - Our New Identity in Christ
[86:37] - Jesus Glasses Syndrome
[88:11] - The Fall and Its Consequences
[90:22] - Jesus Reverses the Curse
[93:03] - The Great Exchange: Our Sin for His Righteousness
[95:31] - Intrinsic Righteousness and Justification
[98:50] - New Covenant Theology
[101:54] - Restored to Innocence
[106:33] - Empowerment through Identity
[110:26] - The Gospel: Restored to Innocence Again
[114:45] - Declaration of Innocence
[115:37] - Invitation to Accept Christ
[116:28] - Communion: Celebrating Our Innocence
[122:19] - Letting Go of Pain and Shame
[124:39] - Announcements and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the three major covenants discussed in the sermon, and how do they differ in terms of grace and performance? [01:14:20]
According to the sermon, what is the process of sanctification for Christians? How does it differ between the spirit, soul, and body? [01:22:09]
What does the term "Jesus glasses syndrome" refer to, and why is it considered a misunderstanding of our identity in Christ? [01:26:37]
How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross? [01:35:31]

Interpretation Questions

How does understanding the distinction between the Abrahamic, Mosaic, and New Covenants help us appreciate the grace we live under today? [01:15:01]
What does it mean to be sanctified in spirit once and for all, and how does this affect our daily lives as Christians? [01:22:09]
How does the concept of intrinsic righteousness change the way we view ourselves and our relationship with God? [01:35:31]
In what ways does living from a place of restored innocence empower us to live righteously? [01:41:54]

Application Questions

Reflect on your understanding of the different covenants. How has this sermon changed or reinforced your view of God's grace in your life? [01:15:01]
In what areas of your life do you see the need for ongoing sanctification of your soul and body? How can you actively participate in this process? [01:22:09]
Have you ever felt like God only sees you as righteous through "Jesus glasses"? How does knowing you are intrinsically righteous change your self-perception and actions? [01:26:37]
Think about a time when you lived from a place of guilt and shame. How can embracing your restored innocence in Christ help you live more freely and joyfully? [01:41:54]
Identify one area in your life where you struggle with sin-consciousness. How can you shift your focus to son-consciousness and live out your true identity in Christ? [01:46:33]
How can you remind yourself daily of your intrinsic righteousness and innocence in Christ? What practical steps can you take to reinforce this truth in your life? [01:35:31]
Consider someone in your life who might be struggling with guilt and shame. How can you share the message of restored innocence and righteousness with them in a loving and impactful way? [01:41:54]

Sermon Clips

1. "Now, what I want you to see today is one of the things I want you to see today, that as to your sonship, as to your spirit, as to who you really are, it's a done deal. You are completely sanctified, holy, blameless, perfect, forever. And then in your mind, and your soul, and your body is not yet redeemed. After you became a Christian, you got born again, you still have the same anxious thoughts, possibly, unless God did a quick work in your life, they're still the same." [01:22:50] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I tell you, when you really know how innocent you are, it will change your life. Peace will come. Shalom will come into your life. Amazing, isn't it? See, we become what he was. He was perfect, innocent. We become that. He became what we were, guilty, sinner. This is beautiful exchange that happened. That's why we celebrate communion. That's why I do this every day. I would like to do it 10 times every day. Just to even thank him next to the power that it releases, but just to thank him for the wonderful exchange in my life." [01:41:08] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Jesus becomes me so I can become him. Serious. And so he becomes sin so I can become sinless. The exchange. He lays down his divine nature so I can pick it up. That's like, really? Yes. It's really like this. My son, what a gift. What a deal. And what we were in Genesis 2, before the fall, innocent, righteous, no shame, no guilt. We become again through Jesus Christ in the New Covenant. As a son and a daughter, completely blameless, innocent forever." [01:41:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I want you to see this, and that's how I often see it. Say, if I do something dumb, say, Lord, I'm really sorry. I don't ask forgiveness. He's already forgiven me. What are you talking about? But I do say, sorry, this is dumb, what I did. I'm your son. I'm in the spirit. I'm your son, whatever. I did this thing. This is dumb. I'm sorry. I am righteous. Now again, this is also not cheap grace. Because some people say, oh, I can do anything I like. Well, in some ways you can. But what an embarrassment you would be to the gospel." [01:43:32] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "When you really get this, you know what actually really happens? Is you become so sun conscious, and no more sin worry conscious, that it will empower you for life. And you will actually stop the addiction. And you will actually stop the things. And you'll come into a freedom that you've never experienced in your life. It's a DNA transfer that we've had, guys. It's a DNA transfer, a new hard drive." [01:46:33] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "I want you to see this. The sin is not discovered. Jesus, God doesn't look to you with the glasses. I want you to see this glass is so dumb. I know I look like Elton John. I know, just like this, I know, but I want to make sure you never forget what Gideon did. Did anybody take a photo of me yet? Yay, yay, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. So the thing is, I want you not to forget that it's not that God sees you through these glasses, but you are a rotten sinner without Jesus. You are not." [01:45:09] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "You have been made whole inside. A new hard drive was put into your spirit. The old was cut out, the new has put in. You are a new creation. And John says, 1 John says, in that spirit you cannot sin. Of course not, you're connected with Christ. You're one with Christ, the Bible says. You cannot do anything. You can sin with your body, you can sin with your mind, you can sin with your emotions, but you cannot sin in who you really are." [01:45:09] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "I want to say something. There's still some confusion. There's still some confusion in the area. Is what Jesus has done for us, is this only positionally or intrinsically also? Is it only a positional thing to be in Christ? We are a new creation, and in Christ we have this thing. Or is it intrinsically? Something actually happened inside of you. Something actually changed. Well, I want to explain this by a little example that I can see. Because I believe that many Christians, they suffer from something I called Jesus glasses syndrome." [01:26:01] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I tell you what happens otherwise. Otherwise, you get into a performance trap, and you start to perform to feel good. Worse, because you're meant to live by innocence, in innocence, what you'll do is you try to find innocence in other places, in your work, in other relationships, addictions, start to do stuff to find this thing. But God says, you already have this thing. I am your thing. I have made you beautiful and righteous and perfect forever. And this is how you reign in life." [01:49:17] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I want you all to stand right now. This is the last scripture. It's a long one. This is the gospel. This is the gospel. But I want you to read it with me, kind of slow. No, actually, I'm going to read it to you. Just read along, because otherwise I want to have some nuances here. This is the gospel. Look at this, guys, and then we're done. Jesus, he is the divine portrait and the true likeness of the invisible God and the firstborn heir of all creation." [01:50:26] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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