I love Italian food. I love Italian music. I love the language. I'd love to be an Italian. But I never will be. I wasn't born an Italian. I could change my hair, learn the language, and even sing operas, but no amount of Italian performance would change my identity. To be Italian, I'd have to be born Italian.

And so it is as children of God. Birth determines who we are, and in Christ we are re-born with a new identity. Our old identity as a sinner is crucified and we are made righteous, accepted, and holy. This is true even if we don't always act like it. Living the Christian life is both knowing and doing. When you know who you are in Christ, you can act like that person by tapping Christ as your source.