You are Loved
March 5, 2022
Salvation
March 6, 2022
The world today is having an identity crisis. 72 gender types, the radicalization of homosexuality attempting to make it normal and mainstream. "I was born this way." The focus on self. Don’t get me started on selfies. “Please refer to me” as a certain pronoun movement. I prefer they/them because he or she is insensitive.
The question is why all this focus on identity? Where does it come from?
If we go back to the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect union with God their creator. Their identity came from and existed in God who created them. They were the 1st partakers of the divine nature. Then something happens. Eve was tempted by satan. His temptation was a subtle and devious one.
Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” He was telling them God was holding back from you the truth of who you are and what you could be. He was saying God doesn't want you to have your eyes opened. God does not want you to be like him. God is the one who is deceiving you. It wasn’t until Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s one command that they became self-aware or self-conscience, separated from their creator. Before the fall, they were in union with the living God, now they weren't. Their identity was in him, now it wasn't. That was the truth.
Now they had to forge an identity apart from their creator. It’s quite obvious that the surge in finding one's identity is not a new thing. I think it has found new life in the ability to exchange information so easily far and wide. It’s still the same tactic by the same enemy to lead people further and further away from their creator. In Romans 1:25 it says; “For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” We are and always have been in a battle for the truth. The truth about God, ourselves, and others. Satan's mission, the world's mission, and our flesh all want to lead us away from what is true.
So what is true about you when you are in Christ?
My Identity in Christ I have been justified…completely forgiven and made righteous. Forgiven once for all (Romans 5:1) (Hebrews 9:26).
I died with Christ and died to the power of sin’s rule over my life. (Romans 6:1-6)
I am a slave of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
I am free from sin and enslaved to God. (Romans 6:22)
I am free forever from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father. (Romans 8:14, 15)
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17)
I am more than a conqueror through Christ, who loves me. (Romans 8:37)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now. (Philippians 3:20
I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a People for God’s own possession. (1 Peter 2:9,10)
I am a temple…a dwelling place…of God. His Spirit and His life dwells in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)
I am right with God as a free gift. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Colossians 2:6-7 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord(in faith by believing), so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
The question is why all this focus on identity? Where does it come from?
If we go back to the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve enjoyed perfect union with God their creator. Their identity came from and existed in God who created them. They were the 1st partakers of the divine nature. Then something happens. Eve was tempted by satan. His temptation was a subtle and devious one.
Genesis 3:5 “For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will become like God, knowing good and evil.” He was telling them God was holding back from you the truth of who you are and what you could be. He was saying God doesn't want you to have your eyes opened. God does not want you to be like him. God is the one who is deceiving you. It wasn’t until Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s one command that they became self-aware or self-conscience, separated from their creator. Before the fall, they were in union with the living God, now they weren't. Their identity was in him, now it wasn't. That was the truth.
Now they had to forge an identity apart from their creator. It’s quite obvious that the surge in finding one's identity is not a new thing. I think it has found new life in the ability to exchange information so easily far and wide. It’s still the same tactic by the same enemy to lead people further and further away from their creator. In Romans 1:25 it says; “For they exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” We are and always have been in a battle for the truth. The truth about God, ourselves, and others. Satan's mission, the world's mission, and our flesh all want to lead us away from what is true.
So what is true about you when you are in Christ?
My Identity in Christ I have been justified…completely forgiven and made righteous. Forgiven once for all (Romans 5:1) (Hebrews 9:26).
I died with Christ and died to the power of sin’s rule over my life. (Romans 6:1-6)
I am a slave of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
I am free from sin and enslaved to God. (Romans 6:22)
I am free forever from condemnation. (Romans 8:1)
I am a son of God; God is spiritually my Father. (Romans 8:14, 15)
I am a joint heir with Christ, sharing His inheritance with Him (Romans 8:17)
I am more than a conqueror through Christ, who loves me. (Romans 8:37)
I am a citizen of heaven, seated in heaven right now. (Philippians 3:20
I am a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a People for God’s own possession. (1 Peter 2:9,10)
I am a temple…a dwelling place…of God. His Spirit and His life dwells in me. (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19)
I am right with God as a free gift. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Colossians 2:6-7 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord(in faith by believing), so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
