You're a Mess, But You're God's Mess: Finding Identity in Christ

Dr. Spencer R. Fusselman

In the opening verses of Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, we encounter a profound theological truth that resonates deeply with the human condition: despite our inherent fallenness and the pervasive brokenness of the world, those who are "in Christ" are unequivocally God's own. This foundational identity, bestowed by grace, underpins a future brimming with hope and eternal security. The Corinthian church, a vivid illustration of human imperfection, serves as a powerful testament to this enduring truth.

To truly grasp the radical nature of Paul's opening address, one must first understand the spiritual and moral landscape of Corinth and, by extension, its newly budding Christian community. The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub, renowned for its wealth, trade, and unfortunately, its rampant immorality. It was a melting pot of diverse philosophies and pagan worship, where the pursuit of status, power, and rhetorical prowess was paramount. The church, rather than standing as a beacon of counter-cultural Christlikeness, had largely assimilated these worldly values.

Pastor Austin aptly describes the Corinthian church as "a disaster" – a "dumpster fire" or "basket case." Their issues were manifold and deeply entrenched:

• Divisions and Factions: "Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10 NKJV). They were aligning themselves with various leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas), creating schisms that undermined the unity of the body of Christ.
• Sexual Immorality: Paul explicitly addresses a shocking case of incest, stating, "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!" (1 Corinthians 5:1 NKJV). This was not merely present but tolerated, even celebrated, by some.
• Lawsuits Among Believers: "Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?" (1 Corinthians 6:1 NKJV). The very members of Christ's body were dragging one another before pagan courts, bringing disrepute to the name of Christ.
• Misunderstanding of Spiritual Gifts: Their spiritual gifts, intended for edification and unity, had become tools for self-promotion and ostentation (1 Corinthians 12-14).
• Denial of the Resurrection: Perhaps most alarming, some within the church doubted the bodily resurrection of Christ, a cornerstone of Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15).

Indeed, the Corinthians "looked more like Corinth than like Christ." Paul's stark assessment in chapter 11, suggesting it would be "better if they didn't gather as a church at all," underscores the gravity of their spiritual malaise. Even the Lord's Supper, designed as a sacred communal meal symbolizing unity and equality in Christ, had been perverted into an occasion for social stratification, where the wealthy indulged while the poor went hungry.

The Radical Grace of Paul's Apostolic Salutation
Given the deplorable state of the Corinthian church, one might expect Paul's letter to open with a scathing indictment, a fiery rebuke designed to shock them into repentance. Yet, the Apostle, guided by wisdom, chooses a profoundly different, and utterly shocking, approach. Before addressing a single one of their glaring deficiencies, Paul anchors them in their unchangeable identity in Christ:

"Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:1-3 NKJV)

This salutation is a masterclass in pastoral theology. Paul extends profound grace to a people steeped in spiritual disarray. He reminds them that they are "the church of God that is in Corinth" – a crucial distinction. Their primary identity is not defined by their geographical location or cultural milieu, but by their ownership. They are "in God," not merely "in Corinth." Their belonging is to Christ, and this belonging precedes and supersedes their current struggles. This initial affirmation serves as the unshakeable foundation upon which all subsequent correction and exhortation will be built.

"Sanctified in Christ Jesus": A Decisive Declaration of Identity
The phrase "sanctified in Christ Jesus" is particularly potent. Paul does not say they are "on the road to sanctification" or "striving for sanctification." He declares them already "sanctified" – a past-tense, completed action. This points to a crucial distinction in Reformed theology between definitive sanctification and progressive sanctification.

Definitive Sanctification: This refers to the believer's instantaneous, once-for-all setting apart unto God at the moment of conversion. It is a positional truth, a legal declaration based entirely on Christ's work. When God calls, His creation responds. This call is not a mere invitation that can be ignored; it is an effectual call that awakens sinners from spiritual death, bringing them "out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV). As Pastor Austin notes, "When God calls, His creation responds." This is the sovereign work of God, who "has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" (2 Timothy 1:9 NKJV). If one is a Christian, a fundamental, decisive change in identity has already occurred. You have been set apart, declared holy, and "called to be a saint." This is not a status reserved for a select few, but the inherent identity of every believer in Christ.

Progressive Sanctification: This is the ongoing, lifelong process by which believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, grow in Christlikeness, increasingly conforming their lives to God's moral will. While definitive sanctification is a finished work, progressive sanctification is a continuous journey. Paul will indeed address the Corinthians' need for progressive sanctification throughout the letter, but he grounds that call to growth in their already established, definitive sanctification.

This distinction is vital. Our actions do not earn our sanctification; rather, our sanctification in Christ empowers and motivates our pursuit of holiness. As Mike Bowmore wisely states, "Clarity about our identity helps to shape action." Paul understands that true, sustainable transformation flows not from shame or striving, but from an understanding of who we already are in Christ. Just as a child who knows they are loved and belong to their parents is motivated to honor them, so too are believers, knowing their secure identity in Christ, motivated to live lives pleasing to God. "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19 NKJV).

The All-Encompassing Grace: Past, Present, and Future
Paul continues his opening remarks with a profound expression of gratitude for the Corinthians, not for their exemplary behavior, but "because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV). This grace is not an abstract concept or a mere feeling; it is concrete, rooted in the historical reality of Christ's redemptive work.
"For in Him you were enriched in everything—in all speech and all knowledge—just as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." (1 Corinthians 1:5-9 NKJV)

This passage reveals the multi-dimensional nature of God's grace, operating across all tenses:

1. Past Grace (Justification): "The grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus" (v. 4). This refers to the decisive act of God by which we are declared righteous in His sight, based solely on Christ's atoning sacrifice. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV). This past event brings us into a new, reconciled relationship with God.
2. Present Grace (Sustaining and Equipping): "In Him you were enriched in everything—in all speech and all knowledge... so that you are not lacking in any gift" (v. 5, 7). God's grace is not a one-time transaction but a continuous supply, empowering believers for Christian living and service. Even in their mess, the Corinthians possessed spiritual gifts, albeit misused. This present grace keeps us in relationship with God, enabling us to grow and serve. "And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV).
3. Future Grace (Glorification and Preservation): "Who will also sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord" (v. 8-9). This is the glorious culmination of God's redemptive plan. Despite their present failures, Paul expresses absolute confidence that God Himself will preserve them and present them "guiltless" on the Day of Christ's return. This future grace secures us in relationship with God forever. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6 NKJV).

The gospel, therefore, is not merely a "sinner's prayer" prayed to "get in the door"; it is the sustaining reality for the believer's entire life, an eternal truth that anchors us through every season. As Pastor Austin emphasizes, "What God has done in Christ Jesus brings us into relationship with God, keeps us in relationship with God, and will secure us in relationship with God forevermore."

God's Unwavering Faithfulness: The Anchor of Our Hope
The audacious claim that the deeply flawed Corinthians will be "guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ" seems almost unbelievable. How can such a messy church, riddled with sin, stand blameless before a holy God? The answer lies not in their performance, but in God's unassailable character: "For God is faithful" (1 Corinthians 1:9 NKJV).

This faithfulness of God is the bedrock of our salvation and perseverance. He is not a God who initiates a work and then abandons it. He does not get us "90% home and expect us to handle the last 10%." His commitment to His chosen people is absolute and unwavering. "If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13 NKJV).
In Jesus Christ, our sin was definitively condemned on the cross, so that we, who believe in Him, might never face condemnation. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1 NKJV). All our worst moments, our deepest failures, and even our best, self-righteous efforts were absorbed into the cross, allowing us to be united with Him for eternity. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV). Our eternal song will not be, "Lord, did You see how awesome I was?" but rather, "Lord, did You see how awesome YOU were?" This is the essence of the gospel – the magnificent works of God, displayed in the lives of His redeemed people.

Practical Application: Grounding One Another in Christ Before Rebuke
The Apostle Paul's approach to the Corinthian church provides a powerful model for how we, as believers, should interact with one another, especially when addressing sin or areas of needed growth. Our natural inclination, often fueled by a desire for quick fixes or a subtle sense of superiority, might be to immediately point out flaws or deliver sharp correction. However, Paul demonstrates a better way: grounding one another in Christ before rebuke.
Just as Paul first reminded the Corinthians of their identity as "sanctified in Christ Jesus" and "called to be saints," we are called to affirm the secure identity of our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we observe a fellow believer struggling, or when we need to offer a word of correction, our first step should be to remember and affirm who they are in Christ. This means acknowledging their status as God's beloved children, chosen and set apart, not because of their performance, but because of Christ's finished work. This approach fosters a spirit of grace and unity, creating a safe space for honest self-reflection and genuine change.

Instead of saying, "You're doing this wrong," we might start with, "Because you are deeply loved by God and made new in Christ, I want to share something that I believe will help you walk more fully in that truth." This isn't about excusing sin, but about providing the most powerful motivation for repentance and growth: the unwavering love and acceptance already found in Christ. When we approach one another from this foundation of shared identity and grace, we move beyond competition and condemnation, cultivating a church community where empathy, patient encouragement, and true transformation can flourish, all for the glory of God who is faithfully at work in every one of His "messy" but cherished children.