THE CORE OF THE BELIEVER'S IDENTITY
Your identity is not only who you are but whose you are. We all have outside and inside influences that contribute to who we are. The outside effects may be things like a job, wealth, possessions and so forth. The inside impact may be things like our talents, skills, attitudes, our personality and so on. We are constantly attempting to find a good and healthy marriage or niche for both of these factors to play nicely in the development of our identity.
Unfortunately, some people will not live to make a positive difference but will take up space, air and resources and then die. In fact, some people are bent on making the lives of others miserable. I know that may sound cold and disheartening, but these statements are still truth. So, it falls to those that are positive, difference-makers in life to be trying to sway at least the indifferent individuals.
For those that just don't care perhaps we can encourage them to stand for something (hopefully positive) or you will fall for anything. There are those out there that are soul-searching or looking for their "true self". They are in limbo with their identity so they latch onto attractive, worldly/societal offerings. These items are not bad to have in and of themselves. The only problem in finding their identity in these is that they are not eternal.
Even looking inward to find our identity we need help. We improve, we decline, and we change over time. Tim Tebow believes in a firm foundation, an unshaken identity. Tim has stated that staying grounded means being accountable with his life, calling and talent(s) to God which God has loaned him. I agree, not only because God is watching, but other potential Christians are also. As the owner of the casino in Oceans 11 said, "Somebody is always watching." Plus, what better identity is there to pursue than one in Christ Jesus.
God, through Christ Jesus and His Holy Spirit must be the tie-breaker in the battle over our identity. Why find your identity in Christ? The number one reason is that we can rest in His Righteousness or Right-standing with Father God which He purchased through His life's blood. Another reason is because of all the benefits - one of which is the valleys of life are raised so they are not so deep any more.
We also must rest and operate in His Holiness. This is not an I'm better than you because I am a Christian mentality or attitude. Being Holy is a lifestyle of difference, a positive option for others to consider choosing because they can see and sense The Source (God) in you. God is the believer's Holiness.
"Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, 'I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.'” - Hebrews 2:11-12
Being Holy, separate and sacred because of Jesus, in front of everyone else is the essence of the believer's identity in Christ. It is not easy, but it is The Core Of The Believer's Identity. "Be Holy, because I am Holy." - 1 Peter 1:15-16
Unfortunately, some people will not live to make a positive difference but will take up space, air and resources and then die. In fact, some people are bent on making the lives of others miserable. I know that may sound cold and disheartening, but these statements are still truth. So, it falls to those that are positive, difference-makers in life to be trying to sway at least the indifferent individuals.
For those that just don't care perhaps we can encourage them to stand for something (hopefully positive) or you will fall for anything. There are those out there that are soul-searching or looking for their "true self". They are in limbo with their identity so they latch onto attractive, worldly/societal offerings. These items are not bad to have in and of themselves. The only problem in finding their identity in these is that they are not eternal.
Even looking inward to find our identity we need help. We improve, we decline, and we change over time. Tim Tebow believes in a firm foundation, an unshaken identity. Tim has stated that staying grounded means being accountable with his life, calling and talent(s) to God which God has loaned him. I agree, not only because God is watching, but other potential Christians are also. As the owner of the casino in Oceans 11 said, "Somebody is always watching." Plus, what better identity is there to pursue than one in Christ Jesus.
God, through Christ Jesus and His Holy Spirit must be the tie-breaker in the battle over our identity. Why find your identity in Christ? The number one reason is that we can rest in His Righteousness or Right-standing with Father God which He purchased through His life's blood. Another reason is because of all the benefits - one of which is the valleys of life are raised so they are not so deep any more.
We also must rest and operate in His Holiness. This is not an I'm better than you because I am a Christian mentality or attitude. Being Holy is a lifestyle of difference, a positive option for others to consider choosing because they can see and sense The Source (God) in you. God is the believer's Holiness.
"Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, 'I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.'” - Hebrews 2:11-12
Being Holy, separate and sacred because of Jesus, in front of everyone else is the essence of the believer's identity in Christ. It is not easy, but it is The Core Of The Believer's Identity. "Be Holy, because I am Holy." - 1 Peter 1:15-16
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