20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Galatians 2:20-21(ESV)

 

We are not saved to become better people, but to be made into new creations in Christ. Our past no longer defines us or controls us. We instead follow Christ in a new way of life and thinking. We echo Paul when he says, “it is no longer I, but Christ who lives in me.” This is what it really means to be a Christian. It is to know Christ and the richness of His resurrection life in us.

While salvation is by grace, that is there is nothing we can do to earn it, but we learn to live out the truth God has revealed to us in the gospel. As far as God is concerned, you were included in Christ’s death and resurrection and as a result, sin has lost its power and you now have the ability to overcome sinful habits. Many of us, however, struggle to overcome sin because we base our faith on our own broken experiences rather than the reality of the gospel.

Don’t nullify God’s grace because of spiritual failures and discouragement. God is not ashamed of you. He is not disappointed with you. He is not embarrassed by you. God’s love for you is unchanging and unchangeable, and hence perfect in every way. This is what makes the gospel so amazing or incredible. Give yourself grace because God’s grace is at work in you.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will awaken you to a fresh understanding of your true identity in Christ and empower you to walk in the realities of the new creation life.

Christ who is alive and active has given you the power to live righteously by His spirit within you. Remind yourself that sin has lost its power as a result of you placing your trust in Jesus. With that in mind, you can live victoriously and experience freedom from every sinful habit.