Holy lump

Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

 Sometimes, in our walk with Christ, we are attacked by thoughts that tell us we’re no good. This is the Devil’s favorite tactic. He enjoys watching Christians question their status with God. He enjoys watching guilt bring about stress and anxiety in our lives. He enjoys watching us turn away from Jesus because we see ourselves as unclean. He enjoys when we become self-reflective.

One of the best weapons the Devil uses is God’s own perfect law. The Devil knows that we are incapable of maintaining the standards set forth by God’s holy commandments, so he uses them against us. It is the Devil’s inappropriate use of the law (that is, using it to accuse) that makes him able to bring guilt and condemnation into the hearts and minds of Christians. God did not give His law to help man become righteous by maintaining its standards. God gave the law to reveal to humankind their need for a savior and to show us the perfection of Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:24). 

The Devil brings his accusations and whispers them in our ears: “You’ve failed to maintain God’s standards; you are a failure!” He is making an attempt to draw our attentions off of the finished work of Christ. This is why God’s word is full of positive, reinforcing scripture that proclaims who we are in Christ: holy.

Our faith doesn’t rest in or rely on our works; it’s based on grace (Romans 11:6). Our faith isn’t based on our abilities to do good deeds, to fulfill God’s laws, or to be perfect. Our faith is based on the grace that is found in Christ and rests, secured, in His finished work. At the cross, Jesus became sin; Jesus substituted His holiness for our sinfulness. At the cross, Jesus overpaid our sin debt. At the cross, Jesus satisfied the wrath of a just and holy God. At the cross, Jesus saved us!

We know that Christ is holy; He’s the Son of God! The Bible is clear that He is the firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Christ Himself said that He is the Vine and we are the branches (John 15:5). Christ is the Vine, the Source, the Root. Rest assured in knowing that because the Firstfruit is holy the whole lump (that’s us Christians) is holy! Because the Root is holy, so are the branches!

When the Devil comes and whispers in your ear that you’re a failure, a sinner, and a bad person, remind yourself, not him, who you really are. You are holy because Christ has made you holy. You are righteous because Christ has made you righteous. You are forgiven, sanctified, purified, and made alive because Christ has made you that way!