Identity

A lot of things can step in and try to make our identity. The KEY WORD is TRY!! So often we let the million things around us and in our lives to create our identity. We are our jobs, our stage in life, our class, our race, our social issue, our political agenda, our bank account, our stuff, or whatever else can fit in that place.

BUT if we are a Christian, than our Identity is in Christ, should be in Christ, and continues to be in Christ. We ignore our Identity and redemption in Christ and continue to live after our own desires. We fill the void, chase our idols (which are every changing), and all the while ignore it because most of it resides in our hearts where no one knows.

We fail to see that the greatest problems exist within us, not outside us. If who I am in Christ does not shape the way I think about myself and the things in my world, then I will live out of some other identity (Lane/Tripp).

None of these aspects about our lives are necessary bad, it is just how we treat them and where the priority in them stands. We need to wage a war against the temptation to be found in anything other than Christ. That means recognizing there is a war, we are susceptible to sin, and we need a savior (DAILY).

The thing that encouraged me in this is that God says he already gave us everything we need NOW for godliness and life.  2 Peter 1: 3-9 says: "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, 4by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 5For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins."

May we run from what holds us back, keeps us blind through the power of Christ and his promises. May we live in CHRIST now. May we be honest about what we get wrapped up in that isn't Christ.

Praying for my heart and yours, that God would rule it and help us unveil it everyday before Him.