Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Psalm 86:2

As I read Psalm 86 today, David’s saying, “I am holy,” got my attention. Was David being ostentatious? Was he prideful? No. He is identifying himself as a child of God who can look to his Father for safety and protection. His expectation is in God. He believes he is in God’s favor. He is devoted to God. He is a saint. This is David’s prayer to God. He isn’t going around telling others that he is holy.

In some addiction classes students are to identify with their addiction: “I am an alcoholic” or “I am an addict.” If you are a Christian, your identity is in Christ, not in your sin. We are “beloved of God” and “called to be saints” (Rom. 1:7). If we see ourselves as fools, addicts, etc., we will act like fools:

As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Proverbs 26:11

Our behavior is greatly affected by our beliefs. Since we are holy, we should then live holy lives. If you see yourself as a person who is devoted to God, it will affect your walk with God. If you understand that God is no longer you enemy, but has reconciled you to Himself, and that you have this favorable relationship with God as an adopted child of God; then this belief must affect your behavior. We act on our beliefs. For further reading on our identity in Christ you may read Romans 5-8 and Ephesians 1-3.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Romans 6:1-2

Ron Cox – Director of HOPE Ministry