Hardly a day goes by when we don’t hear of someone, even a friend or family member, that has had their identity compromised or stolen outright. Mix in those that, for whatever reason, don’t even know their actual identity, and you have a bunch of people that are not realizing the fullness of life they can enjoy by simply being who they are meant to be. As Christians, our true identity and inheritance is that of tremendous royalty: we are children and heirs of the King of kings and Lord of lords! But like others, we also run the risk of not living the life we are intended to live because we aren’t mindful of who (Who’s) we actually are.
I came to know the Lord a number of years ago, and like many new Christians, I couldn’t get enough of Jesus. I was at church whenever the doors were opened, read my Bible faithfully, enjoyed daily intimate time of prayer and devotion, and listened constantly to Christian radio. After moving to another state, I adjusted to an increased work schedule and lack of Christian fellowship. I was still maintaining “good spiritual habits”, although occasionally without my previous zeal. Though in all of my discipleship, I don’t think I ever fully grasped my identity in Christ, but relied more on a works-based or performance mentality to affirm who I was. Instead of solely relying on the grace of God to deepen my walk with Christ by drawing nearer to Him, I resorted to my own best efforts instead, trying hard to bear fruit. This false way of assessing and reinforcing my identity may be part of my eventual estrangement from the Lord and spiritual fatigue, I’m not sure. Ironically, I was still involved in ministry, although making little difference, during my time in the spiritual desert. Even if my identity crisis wasn’t the main problem, not knowing who the Bible declared me to be was certainly not helpful. I shudder to think of the battles I forfeited and blessings I missed during this season.
Only by God’s grace is there restoration and healing in my relationships that suffered, and the redemption of the time that is still before me. I guess I’m finally coming to know in a way that maybe I never knew who exactly I am- not who I think or feel or even who others tell me that I am, but who God, through His Word and Spirit, tells me that I am.
Without constant transformation through the renewal of my mind, particularly through confession of and meditation on my God-given identity as revealed in Scripture, I have a tendency to allow the world, the flesh, and the devil to define my identity. But after being “reset” upon the Rock of my salvation through deliverance and the exercise of the authority the Bible tells me I have in Christ, I’m diligent to confess the word of God and meditate on it daily. Specifically, I remind myself of who (again, Who’s) I am and what has been given me in Christ. I confess the promises in Scripture that God has declared on my behalf, words that affirm my victory over sin, my heart as a minister and servant, and the love I have for my wife and others. I can’t help but “be the me” I already am in Christ when I am convinced and assured of who that is! As importantly, I am refreshed by the grace of God in the knowledge that the work is finished, I already have everything I need to be blessed and bear fruit! The numerous confessions from the Whole Health Club over specific areas that I have been speaking and meditating on have not only helped free me from the “miry pit”, but are keeping my feet firmly planted on the Rock. Two passages from Galatians, 2:20 and 5:22-23 are empowering, reminding me that Christ lives in me and that His Spirit, not my best efforts, will bear fruit!
-Doug
