Being a saint represents the incredible work of Christ's redemption in the life of the believer.  Man's old self is replaced by something that did not exist in him before.  He is declared to be a new creation (see 2 Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:15).  This newness of life is the very life of Jesus Christ within the believer himself  (see Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:4).  He has become one spirit with the Lord (see 1 Cor. 6:17).  In the practice of daily living, the Christian is exhorted to "put on the new self"  (Eph. 4:24).  By faith, we are to function in the light of our true identity -- who we really are in Christ Jesus.

 

Paul identifies the believer with Christ:

 

  In His death  --  Romans 6:3,6, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:1-3

  In His burial  --  Romans 6:4

  In His resurrection   --  Romans 6:5,8,11

  In His life  --  Romans 5:10, 11

  In His power --  Ephesians 1:19, 20

  In His inheritance  --  Romans 8:16, 17, Ephesians 1:11, 12

 

Being a new creature in Christ is the result of Jesus Christ's life implanted in the believer and manifested in practical ways as the Christian makes moral choices in the power of the Holy Spirit.  We are not partly new and partly old, nor are we partly in light and partly in darkness, we are completely new creatures in Him.

 

 


 

1 Corinthians 9:1  (Interpretation)

 

Paul says -- I am an apostle, God's messenger, responsible to no mere man.  I am one who has actually seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes.  And your changed lives are the result of my hard work for him.