“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,
that we should be called the children of God!”
(I John 3:1)
Do you ever struggle with an identity crisis? It’s unfortunate that many Christians never fully understand and appreciate who they are in Christ. So, for the next three weeks, let’s take a few moments to simply meditate on our position and privileges as children of God. It may revolutionize your way of thinking. Because of God’s amazing grace I have a new identity in Jesus Christ…
ü I am a child of God (John 1:12; I John 3;1)
ü I am a friend of Christ (John 15:15)
ü I have been justified (Romans 5:1)
ü I am a member of God’s body (I Corinthians 12:27)
ü I am a new creation (II Corinthians 5:17)
ü I am a saint (Ephesians 1:1)
ü I have been chosen and adopted by God (Eph. 1:3-4)
ü I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sin (Eph. 1:7)
ü I am complete in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10)
ü I have direct access to God’s throne of grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16)
ü I am a royal priest (I Peter 2:9) *
Too often in our world today, we are ingrained with the philosophy that what we do determines who we are. Instead, the opposite is true – who we are determines what we do. May the Holy Spirit remind us often of our identity in Jesus Christ.
“Heavenly Father, thank you for your grace.
Thank you that I am forgiven and I am a new creation in Christ.
I am honored to be counted as one you’re your children.
May the awesome reality of my position in your family
flood my soul & encourage me in my daily walk with You.
Lord, may others see You in me. Amen.”
* Adapted & modified from “Freedom in Christ” by Neil Anderson
January 8, 2009 at 3:11 pm |
The other prevailing philosophy is based on appearances, so often people are judged based on their weight, their looks, their clothes, their handbags, etc. So, not only does what we do determine who we are, but our appearance determines who we are. But, as you stated above, who we are determines what we do. Maybe if people would look past the exterior, and investigate the interior, they would probably find something they like, maybe even surprising.
I once worked with a very beautiful girl, everyone, including myself, thought she was gorgeous. As we grew closer as friends (and she professed to be a Christian), the less attractive she became; this woman was extremely self-centered, arrogant, and needy. While I understand that this could also be insecurity, it just goes to show that what is on the outside is not necessarily what is on the inside.
God made us who we are, and put us where we are, for a reason. So, maybe we need to take the time to see what’s on the inside and recognize that we are all creations of Christ and hope that others see the Lord in us, regardless of what we do or look like.
January 8, 2009 at 10:52 pm |
Liesl,
interesting commentary. I think many people forget what Isaiah 53 says about our Lord.
He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
This paints a far different picture than what most assume Christ must have looked like.
Remember, a wise person never judges a book by the cover.
Harma