Watch the video above and talk about it with a group or mentor. Learn more.
Can we ever truly live lives worthy of the message of Jesus?
Key Points:
- The Bible is clear over and over that we are all sinners. Some people obsess over the idea of being sinners, neglecting the truth that Christians are “new creations” in Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, we have a new identity.
- If we obsess over the idea of being sinners more than of being saved “saints,” then it will naturally cause us to ignore our high calling by Jesus to live as righteous people.
- While it’s true that Christians sin and struggle with sin patterns, our identity in Jesus is “saint,” not “sinner.”
- Paul told the Christians in Philippi to live as worthy citizens, because they were “citizens” of God’s kingdom, not just of the world (Philippians 3:20). People who are part of a culture, city, or identity behave similarly.
- Christians need to stick together and look out for one another as if we were citizens in a foreign land. Spiritually, that is what we are!
- Jesus has made us totally worthy through his sacrifice on the cross. And now, through his Holy Spirit, he is remaking us more and more to live worthily for him as citizens in a foreign land (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you sometimes beat yourself up over your sins or sin patterns, or maybe just because you’re not as good as you could or should be? Explain.
- Joe said, “When citizens of one country are in a foreign country together, they stick together.” How have you seen this to be true in your own life, either with people visiting your home country or you visiting a foreign country?
- Joe asks, “Can we ever truly live lives worthy of the message of Jesus?” What do you think?
- Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. What do you think it means to have a “new identity” and to be a “new creation” in Jesus Christ?
- What are some ways you can stop defining yourself by your sins and failures and start defining yourself by your salvation in Christ?
- Read Philippians 3:20. What does it mean to be a “citizen of heaven?” (Especially since we live in the world!)
- Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24. According to these verses, how is it that we can live holy (“worthy”) lives? How should this affect how we live?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
This is part of the Students 101 series.
