As we finish up our study of “Who I am in Christ”, I’d like to combine the last two in one blog.  .  

I am KEPT by God

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, 
and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father,
who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one
is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29) 

This passage tells us so much and is such a comfort to believers.  

• Sheep are dumb, defenseless animals.  As sheep, we have an adversary.  God’s Word describes the devil as “prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  
• We have a relationship with our God.  He calls us, “MY sheep”.  He speaks to us and we respond (“they hear My voice” and “they follow Me”). That describes nearness, both in relationship and in proximity.  
• The life we have been given is eternal.  “They will NEVER perish”.  “NO ONE will snatch them out of my hand”.  
• NO ONE IS GREATER than GOD who holds us in His hand!    

I am GLORIFIED by God

The key passage is Romans 8:28–30, “Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Glorified (doxazō) speaks here of God bringing Christians to a heavenly dignity and condition. 

Last week, we learned that “I am SANCTIFIED by God”.  There were three stages of sanctification.  When we are reborn in Christ, we are already positionally sanctified.  We are already seated in the heavenlies with Him.  While we are new creations in Christ Jesus, our practical sanctification is still in process.  We are still growing to become more and more like Him in how we live here on earth.  The day is coming when we will be finally sanctified (glorified). 

Our spirits have already been redeemed and glorified (being clothed in the righteousness of Jesus), and one day in the future, our bodies will be redeemed and glorified. 

“The creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay 
and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 
We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail 
together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, 
who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait 
for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 
For in this hope we were saved.” (Romans 8:21–23).  

There is coming a day when we will have freedom from this body of flesh and have a glorified body, like that of the resurrected body of Jesus. Because of who I am in Christ, I have this promise!!

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and 
what we will be has not yet appeared; 
but we know that when he appears 
we shall be like him, because 
we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)

There is so much hope, joy, and comfort to be grasped as we live in light of “Who I Am in Christ”!  

I am CHOSEN by God.
I am CALLED by God.
I am REGENERATED by God.
I am JUSTIFIED by God.
I am RECONCILED to God.
I am REDEEMED by God.
I am ADOPTED by God.
I am SET APART for God.
I am SANCTIFIED by God.
I am KEPT by God.
I am GLORIFIED by God.  

This is what God has done for you in Christ, who died for your sins.
He is your wonderful Savior!!!