Not Defined by Sin

"So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me." - Romans 7:17  
  
Dietrich Bonhoeffer once wrote, “What is worse than doing evil is being evil.” This powerful statement reminds us that our actions do not have to define our identity. As believers in Christ, we face the struggle of sin daily, but it’s crucial to understand how God sees us despite our flaws.

We sin, but that doesn’t mean we are sinners. In Romans 7:17, Paul says, “So now I am no longer the one doing it, but it is sin living in me.” At first glance, it might seem like Paul is making an excuse for his sin, shifting the blame to some uncontrollable force. However, that’s not the case. Paul acknowledges that while he still sins, his identity is not defined by his sin. More importantly, God doesn’t define him by his sin.
 
Today, many people live with their identities tied to their past mistakes. They are labeled and defined by their actions: “That’s so-and-so, the felon or the drug addict,” or “That’s so-and-so, the womanizer or the alcoholic.” Sometimes, we even accept these labels for ourselves, believing that our actions define us. But this is not how God sees us.

If you are in Christ, you are not defined by your sin. Paul emphasizes this in Romans, explaining that there might have been a time when his identity was tied to his sin, but that time has passed. Through grace and faith, he has been transformed from a sinner to a saint.
 
How do you see yourself today? Do you see yourself as a saint or a sinner? Remember, how you perceive yourself can significantly impact how you live. Someone once said, “The me I see is the me I’ll be.”  

If you view yourself as a sinner, you might find yourself trapped in a cycle of guilt and shame, leading to more sin. But if you see yourself as a saint, saved and set apart by God’s grace, you will be more inclined to live in a way that reflects that identity.
 
Reflect on your identity in Christ today. Recognize that your past mistakes do not define you. You are not a sinner but a saint, redeemed by Jesus. Embrace this truth and let it guide you to live a life worthy of your new identity.
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