Our Identity – Part Two

John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Michael continues by reminding us that God looks at us in our sin and our brokenness and has compassion. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us that, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Though sin must be judged, He did not come to judge us and to condemn us. Rather He sent His Son Jesus Christ that the world through him might be saved.  When we accept God's offer of salvation through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ on our behalf, God sees us clothed in white robes of Christ’s righteousness.  According to 2 Corinthians 5:21, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”  Romans 8 says that there is now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.

When men and women first come to Christ and the eyes of their understanding are enlightened, they "fall in love" with God, His Son Jesus Christ. They thrill at God's truth and the revelation of His Word. We must guard our heart not to "lose our first love."  Love and its associated gratitude is the motivation for our actions. We need to remind ourselves not only "who we are" but also "whose we are." If we're not connected with like-minded men and women in Christ, we'll never grow up into the mature Christian that our Heavenly Father wants us to be. We're most like those with whom we spend the most time. Sin is crouching at the door and broadcasting tempting distractions our way constantly. If we don't walk with others who walk in fellowship with the Lord, then we may take our heart’s eyes off of Jesus.  

John 1:7-9 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanse us from all sin.”

1 John 1:8-9 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

The devil's job is to dim the light of the Word of God in our heart. We need men and women who will shine their light into our heart so that together we can walk in fellowship one with another.  God will restore us when we confess our sin; our broken fellowship. If a man or woman is in Christ, they will say, "for me to live is Christ and my purpose is to glorify God and my identity is the furtherance of the gospel of Christ." We have been given the ministry of reconciliation. Our purpose in life is to get others to know the Lord Christ,  the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship with our Heavenly Father through His Son Jesus Christ.  

Walking in the Word is abiding in Christ. The word “abide” is defined as: to be, or exist, to continue; to dwell, to tarry or stay, to rest, or dwell, to remain, to rest, continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable, stand firm, or be stationary for anytime indefinitely. Our exhortation is to fan the flame of our kingdom of Heaven brothers and sisters in Christ to build up the body of Christ. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which He has foreordained that we should walk therein – Ephesians 2:10. This is the purpose for which we were created, for what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.  

May God richly bless you,

Your brother in Christ, Michael