Many Christians struggle with seeing themselves through the lens of past failures and their shortcomings. However, the gospel tells a different story. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are no longer defined by our sin, but instead by His righteousness.
Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). When we trust in Christ, our old life is put to death with Him, and we are given a new life in His grace. While believers still battle sin, our identity has changed forever.
The Father no longer sees us as condemned sinners, as we have been clothed in the righteousness of His Son. Our acceptance before God is not based on our performance in the past, but in Christ’s finished work on the cross. As Paul reminds us, righteousness cannot be earned; it is received by grace through faith. It’s a gift and we did nothing except trusting in our lives into the saving hands of Jesus.
This is why the New Testament calls believers “saints.” Not because we are perfect, but because we belong to Christ and have been set apart for Him. Through this act, we have been clothed in His righteousness. The Father doesn’t see us, instead now sees His Son.
When guilt, shame, or doubt creep in, remember the truth of the gospel: your past does not define you, your failures do not determine your worth, and your identity is found in Jesus Christ as a new creation.
Because Christ lives in us, we can walk in freedom, confidence, and hope, knowing that we are forgiven, redeemed, and made new. In Christ, we have been made new, and the Father delights in His children that He sees.