Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

Most believers, when asked who they are in Christ, as part of their answer, will say that they are “sinners saved by grace.”  Perhaps, in their minds, this sounds humble.   When Jesus said He was God, it sounded anything but humble to those listening!  But it was Truth.  And He was the most humble Person ever because He was fully submitted to God, never acting out of His own volition. So, we know that when truth is spoken, it may or may not sound “humble,” but it is truth and that's all that matters. So yes, we were sinners but now, since we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8), who does that make us after the saving?  We are new creatures in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17) The problem with saying we are still “sinners” is that it leaves a fundamental mark in our souls that says that our identity is still that of a sinner. Don’t let the Catholic definition of a saint (as if we could somehow earn it) mar the truth of the identity that Christ died to give us, that is ours in Him.   Is Chr

Did you ever notice how a song stays with you?  When it comes to memorizing Scripture, whatever verses I have put to memory by repetition I have usually forgotten. But psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, I remember.  For decades. We all remember songs from way back when.  There is something about a song that has that kind of staying power.  I am so grateful for this!   I have written a song about some foundational truths from Ephesians.  The song reminds us of: 1. Who we are in Christ.  We are seated with Christ in the Heavenly realms.  This is our position in Christ—“SIT” (2:6) 2. How we are to walk, or live, as Christians worthy of our calling —“WALK” (4:1) 3. How we take our stand against the enemy and his schemes —“STAND” (6:11) Ephesians 2:6 , NLT: "For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus." Ephesians 4:1 , NIV: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life w