WHEN YOUR IDENTITY CONFORMS TO JESUS
1/9/2022
One of the biggest questions and challenges we face as a Christian is found in our perception of our IDENTITY. WHO ARE WE ? The answer to this question firmly tells us if we truly belong to Christ, or if we are simply GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS. I talk about Salvation a lot. Salvation is an incredible Gift, but it is NOT where your life stops as a Christian believer….it is simply a beginning. Salvation is the first step to rebuilding your relationship with God The Father. Jesus has in full GRACE provided in His death on the cross for our sins, and His Resurrection, the ONLY path to Eternal Life. If you believe in those things, you are saved. Now comes the most important question you will need to answer. NOW WHAT ? Scripture (2 Corinthians 5:17) tells us that we are a NEW CREATURE. We are not who we were before giving our life to Jesus. We are Changed. We are not meant to BE who we once were, nor LIVE as we once did. We are a CHILD OF GOD ! A son or daughter of the MOST HIGH GOD. For each of us, that means we have a NEW IDENTITY and a NEW REALITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE NOW CITIZENS OF GOD’S KINGDOM AND WE FIND OUR IDENTITY IN JESUS CHRIST. WE ARE TO BE LIKE HIM IN OUR HEART. WE ARE TO ACT LIKE HIM AND FIND OUR CHARACTER, BELIEFS, AND VALUES TO BE JUST LIKE HIS. Can we be perfect as men and women ? No. However, as we live in Him, and He abides in us, we find our Righteousness and Perfection in Him, as we strive to be everything He desires us to be. Loving, Forgiving, Prayerful for others, Encouraging, Seeking God and His Kingdom. Studying Scripture to find Understanding, Wisdom, and Discernment. Our Identity in Jesus is made Clear !
BUT YOU ARE A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR HIS OWN POSSESSION, THAT YOU MAY PROCLAIM THE EXCELLENCIES OF HIM WHO CALLED YOU OUT OF THE DARKNESS AND INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT. 1 Peter 2:9
FOR OUR SAKE HE MADE HIM TO BE SIN WHO KNEW NO SIN, SO THAT IN HIM WE MIGHT BECOME THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD. 2 Corinthians 5:21
OR DO YOU NOT KNOW THAT YOUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHIN YOU, WHOM YOU HAVE FROM GOD ? YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN. 1 Corinthians 6:19
I HAVE BEEN CRUCIFIED WITH CHRIST. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME. AND THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME. Galatians 2:20
OUR IDENTITY IS IN JESUS ! He died for us and lives in us. We have died and were crucified with Him on the Cross. We live our lives believing that, and having Faith In Him as Our Savior, Lord, And King ! We are Chosen People, His Priesthood. We are called to Share Him, and Show The World the Majesty Of His Light ! We Are The Temple Of The Holy Spirit. He Indwells Us and Guides Us. Hallelujah ! As the realization of these things come deeply into us, we have some key things to realize. OUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN. All of us spend way too much time working on our Behavior Modification Plans. We spend So Much Time trying to fix ourselves and be better that we miss the point. Our Only Perfection is in Jesus, not in ourselves and our continual struggle. We are FORGIVEN. We need not feel guilty, insecure, nor inadequate. Jesus has Reconciled us with the Father. When we fall down as men and women, we confess our sin and we REPENT. We strive to Not Sin Again ! It is a difficult and continual task, but it Makes Us His, and it sharpens our Faith, Resolve, and Authenticity. Our Pastor at Brave Church makes it so clear. “ We Are Loved “ ! God Loves Us !
FOR GOD GAVE US A SPIRIT NOT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND LOVE AND SELF CONTROL. 2 Timothy 1:7
BUT OUR CITIZENSHIP IS IN HEAVEN, AND FROM IT WE AWAIT A SAVIOR, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Philippians 3:20
PUT ON THEN, AS GOD’S CHOSEN ONES, HOLY AND BELOVED, COMPASSIONATE HEARTS, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, AND PATIENCE. Colossians 3:12
So, here we are. Starting a New Year. Where do you find yourself ? Who will you strive to be this year ? Is your focus on the world ? Is your trust in Yourself and your Intelligence and Choices ? Are you reading books on Self Improvement ? Have you laid out your Resolutions and Goals ? A Master Plan ? Job ? Finances ? HAVE YOU SPENT TIME IN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND ASKED FOR HIS GUIDANCE, BLESSING, AND PATH ?
My prayer is that if you are a Christian, you will SEE GOD in every part of Who You Are. If you don’t know God, may you feel His Love For You, and seek His Face. He Loves You. He is Waiting For You to Embrace Him. It is a BIG CHOICE to Conform to Jesus. It takes Boldness to reject what the World offers, and it takes Faith and Perseverance to Walk With God. May Christ Be Your Identity and Your Eternity. BE HIS/JAA
GIVE THANKS TO THE GOD OF HEAVEN, FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER. Psalm 136:26