Jonathan Strickland

Brother, do you understand what God has called you to be? He has not called you to remain a sinner and a slave to sin, but to be a saint, a child of God, and a fellow heir with Christ. "To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints" -1 Corinthians 1:2 "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ" -Romans 8:16–17 Jesus Himself is not ashamed to call His redeemed people His brothers! "For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers" -Hebrews 2:11 And the Father Himself loves you!!! "For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God." -John 16:27 Consider the weight of that calling. The holy and sovereign God, against whom we have sinned, has shown us mercy through the blood of His Son. Not because we deserved it, but because of His grace. So why would we continue living as slaves to the very sin from which Christ died to redeem us, and why would we keep identifying ourselves by what He came to save us from? Brother, you are not called to earn sainthood by your righteousness. You are called to live as a saint because Christ has made you His own. Put to death the deeds of the flesh. Pursue holiness. Love righteousness. Hate what is evil. Depend upon the Holy Spirit, who gives us power and boldness to proclaim His Word. Be who Christ has called you to be!! Not for your glory, but for His.♥️ "You shall be holy, for I am holy." -1 Peter 1:16