What is Your Identity?

Recently in a course led by our pastor, Reen and I learned a clear definition for the two words, “saint” and “sinner.”  Saint was defined as “sinless, holy, perfect, and righteous.” Sinner was defined as “sinful, failure, imperfect, and unrighteous.” Then this question was asked, “On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you rank yourself?” The response of the group of 8 individuals was fascinating.

Are You a Saint or Sinner?

My immediate thought as I watched the consternation on every face was, the Bible calls every believer a saint. Even knowing this though, I was slow to answer realizing how preposterous it sounds that we who make mistakes and sin in our attitudes, thoughts, and actions everyday can be considered saints.  Several immediately replied “10,” for sinner. After several minutes of silence, others suggested “5” as being in the center of both sinner and saint.

Does it Make a Difference?

So how can the Bible state unquestionably we are saints?

The author of the course we are taking makes three statements:

•  “Your identity as a Christian is no longer based on your ability to meet God’s standard. Your identity is based exclusively on what Jesus did on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-10).

•  As a follower of Jesus, you have been given a new identity; the old person you were is no longer who you are in the moment.

• When you surrendered your life to Christ, an exchange took place. Christ took your sin upon Himself as if it was His own. He paid the death penalty you deserved for your sin (Romans 6:23;5:8) and in exchange, He gave you His righteousness (which means right standing with God -2 Corinthians 5:21).

Can you embrace this? Can I embrace this? Can we live our lives focused on the fact that God, our Father loves, receives, and embraces us because of Jesus…that we are precious in His sight? He calls us not only His children but saints.

Seven Steps to Embracing “God Sees You as a Saint”

1. Renew Your Mind with Scripture

Regularly read and meditate on verses that affirm your identity in Christ. Start with 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:4, and 1 Peter 2:9. Let God’s Word shape your view of yourself, not your past or feelings.

2. Reject the Lie That You’re Defined by Your Mistakes

You are not the sum of your failures. Recognize that God sees you through the righteousness of Jesus. When you sin, confess and receive His grace (1 John 1:9), and don’t return to shame.

3. Accept the Exchange of the Cross

Remind yourself daily that Christ didn’t just die for you—He died as if it were actually you. He died in your place. He took your sin and gave you His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). You now stand in right relationship with God.

4. Speak the Truth Over Yourself

Speak aloud: “I am a saint. I am righteous in Christ. I am holy because of Jesus.” These affirmations rooted in Scripture rewire how you see yourself and silence the enemy’s voice of condemnation. We will discuss this further in two weeks.

5. Surround Yourself with People Who See You Through Grace

Community matters. Walk with other believers who remind you of your identity in Christ, not those who constantly point to your flaws. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17).

6. Live in Gratitude, Not Guilt

Start each day thanking God for your new identity. Gratitude shifts your focus from trying to earn God’s love to receiving it freely. You don’t work to be a saint—you live as one because of grace.

7. Ask the Holy Spirit to Make it Real

Transformation isn’t just intellectual—it’s spiritual. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of your sainthood deep within your heart, helping you live confidently and humbly as God’s beloved child.

Take time to meditate on these truths this week and ask the Holy Spirit to allow it to transform the way you think about yourself. You matter to God and everything that concerns you, concerns Him. You can trust Him. Place every concern in His hands and live a life of peace as a saint resting in His loving care.