Who We Are In Christ

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WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST II Corinthians 5:17 Ephesians 1:12-14 The moment we received Christ as Savior our entire existence completely changed. The old sins, (and the future sins), were completely washed away and new things happened. Ephesians 2:10 Once God moved into our lives, though we didn't know it, we became His workmen. Romans 8:1 We became totally free from any future spiritual condemnation regarding our sin. II Corinthians 5:21 Because we are now “in Christ” God the Father looks at us as being perfect. PETER'S PROGRESS I Peter 1:1 The Apostle Peter was much like we are as believers. Mt. 16:16-17; Jn. 6:68-69 He was impulsive and at times said some profound and deep meaning things about Christ. Luke 22:54-62 Other times he would act like a coward and a lost person when allowing self to get in his way. John 15:16; II Cor. 5:20 Peter was chosen by Jesus Christ to be 'a sent one', as an Apostle, but not always perfect, much like us, we are called to be ambassadors for Christ to a lost and dying world. PETER'S PROCLAMATION

Elected and Chosen - I Pt. 1:2; Jn. 1:12; Eph. 1:4 Before time or creation God elected and chose us to be His very own. He did this according to His foreknowledge which includes the idea of choice. He knew all about our sin, our failures and our weaknesses, but He also knew that we would say yes to His invitation of life eternal through the gospel. Redeemed – I Pt. 1:18-19; 3:18 Peter goes into Christ's sacrificial death burial and resurrection and the shedding of His blood to remind us that we were bought with Christ's blood and are not our own. Strangers and Pilgrims – I Pt. 1:1; 2:9-11 Just as the first believers, (Jewish), became strangers and pilgrims to the people of their time, we are also now called strangers and pilgrims. They were scattered beyond Israel and we are now scattered all over the world as a people whose home is not this world. Newborn Babies – I Pt. 2:2; I Jn. 3:1 Peter reminds us that we have become part of the family of God when we trusted in Christ. As newborns we have a responsibility to feed and grow into adulthood. I Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:12-14 Unfortunately the scriptures tell us that many early believes did not heed the call to come out of the spiritual infant stage and grow up, much like believers today. Obedient Children – I Peter 1:13-15 Here we are told by Peter not to let our character be molded by the pull of our old unregenerate sin nature, but be “children of obedience”, obeying the Lord's lead. Lively Stones – I Pt. 2:5 What a privilege to be 'living stones' with the ability to offer “spiritual sacrifices” to God in the house of God. Rom. 12:1; Eph. 5:1-2 These are but a few of the “acceptable spiritual sacrifices” that we can offer to God. I Corinthians 3:9-15 Paul says that each of us is a worker, a laborer for Christ and we are building a spiritual house for God and our building blocks will be judged by Christ at His Judgment Seat. Servants of God – I Peter 2:15-16 Peter reminds us that because of the Grace of God we are all free and have liberty to choose. As servants in the household of God we are to be disciplined and loyal to His service so as not to give the unsaved cause to point the finger toward us and turn away from God. Good Stewards – I Pt. 4:9-10; I Cor. 4:1-2 We are reminded that a steward is one that manages another persons property. We are admonished to use the gifts that God has given to each of us faithfully.