God Transforms: Study 8 in the series Good Beautiful God

For followers of Jesus, the idea that "l am an awful sinner" must be replaced by the narrative that says: "In Christ I am no longer to be defined by sin. I have been reconciled. Sin has been defeated."

Jesus not only forgives the sin of all people for all time, he broke the power of sin itself. This does not mean that everyone is saved. Only those who call upon his name experience that forgiveness.

God not only wants us to be reconciled, he wants to transform us. He not only took away the guilt of sin, but also the power of sin. Those who are Christ-followers not only receive the merit of his work on the cross but actually participate, by faith, in the crucifixion. Regarding this Paul says: "We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin" (Romans 6:6).

We are not only forgiven, we have participated in Christ's death and resurrection. I am not trying to live a sinless life like Jesus. Jesus, who lived a sinless life, is now living in me.