How Does Our Identity in Christ Shape the True Quality of the Christian Life?
Orientation
Many assume the quality of the Christian life is measured by visible victory, consistency, and moral performance, creating a report card of spiritual grades.
- This framework ties your worth and peace to your behavior, leading to constant self-evaluation.
- It makes God's favor feel conditional on your spiritual output.
- It ignores the foundational peace and standing that justification provides.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:1-2)
— Romans 5:1-2
Clarification
Quality of life is not about improving yourself for God, but about resting in who God has already made you to be in His Son.
- Justification is not a mere ticket to heaven; it is your present, permanent standing before God.
- Sanctification is not a process you undergo, but a Person—Christ—given to you.
- Your true life is hidden and secure in Christ, untouched by your daily failures or successes.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)
— Colossians 3:3
Structure
Paul reveals that the believer's life is defined by three positional pillars: justification, sanctification in Christ, and a heavenly citizenship.
- Justification by faith alone establishes eternal peace with God (Romans 5:1).
- Christ Himself is made our sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).
- Our primary identity and conversation are in heaven, not on earth (Philippians 3:20).
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)
— 1 Corinthians 1:30
Weight-Bearing Prose
The Pauline framework redefines quality from subjective experience to objective spiritual reality. Confusion about daily living arises when believers revert to law principles after justification, seeking to earn favor or avoid punishment. This creates a quality of life defined by fear. Paul’s revelation ends this. Justification is the only way we stand before God—it is the qualification for everything, not a separate ‘positional’ truth with no practical bearing. Christ is our sanctification; God is not making a holy you apart from Christ but displaying Christ Himself as your holiness. Your life is hid with Christ in God (Colossians 3:3). This positional truth—what is true in God’s eyes—is the basis for framing your outlook. Thus, quality flows from reckoning yourself dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11), not from managing sin or achieving visible victories. There is no hierarchy of believers based on performance. Assurance is based solely on faith in the message of Christ’s death and resurrection, creating an atmosphere of freedom from condemnation (Romans 8:1).
Integration
Your quality of life is secure because it is anchored in Christ, not in you. The peace of God, which passes understanding, guards your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. You can rest. Your standing is grace. Your sanctification is a Person. Your life is hidden. There is no report card. There is only Christ, who is your life. When you see failure, remember your position. When you feel pressure, remember your peace. God is not angry at your performance; He is pleased with His Son, in whom you stand. Let this truth settle you. The quality of your days is found in knowing Him, not in proving yourself. Look away from your condition to your Christ. He is your everything.