In Romans 8, Paul talks about our identity in Christ. This is the key issue that must be settled in our hearts if we are to fulfill the “why” for our lives – to live and shine for Jesus.
When someone asks us who we are, is our first response, “I’m a mother. I’m a businessman. I’m a student” etc.? While these facts may be true, we have to be aware that they don’t make up our identity. These are all things we do, but they are never who we are. Our identity is to be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ which passes knowledge; so that we may be filled with all the fulness of God. (Eph. 3:19)
Romans 8:29-30 (TLB) says this:
For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him—and all along He knew who would—should become like His Son, so that His Son would be the First, with many brothers. And having chosen us, He called us to come to Him; and when we came, He declared us “not guilty,” filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with Himself, and promised us His glory.
When did God decide that you and I would come to Him? From the very beginning. Isn’t that amazing! Before we were created, before the Spirit was hovering over the deep, God decided He wanted us and knew that we would say yes to His invitation.
What was His purpose? That we should become like His Son – that we would become little Christ like ones, one with Him. That is what’s happening in our lives right now – He is conforming us to the image of His Son. That is why we can thank God for the people who misunderstand us, mistreat us, or for the circumstances that try us, because they are all helping us be changed into His image.
Who does He say we are? He says we are chosen, called, not guilty, and that He has filled us with Christ’s goodness. He says that we are righteous in His sight and that we have His spiritual personality and moral likeness (His glory).
You don’t feel like it? The good news is that this truth is not based on feeling, it is based on God and His Word. We get to choose to believe what we will believe. Let’s choose to believe in what our God has said and done.
Take some time to meditate on the above scripture until the truth of it fills your heart and your mind. Know the love of Christ that passes knowledge. Know how much you are loved and accepted. Let’s make God our source. Let’s choose to rely on, rest in, and respond to this world in and thorough Him.
PRAYER
Mighty God and loving Father, thank You for the truth of Your Word. Thank You for what You have said and done on our behalf. We choose to believe You over what other people have said, over what our life experiences have taught us, and over our own thoughts and feelings. Thank You that we have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the love of Your Son. Thank You that we have been born again into Christ and have been restored to our original position with You. Thank You that the old is gone and the new has come. We are Your sons and daughters, holy, beloved, approved and wanted by You. You settled that once and for all on the cross. We say yes and amen to Your work in our lives. Today, we choose to deny self, take up our cross and follow You.
In the name of Your beloved Son Jesus we pray, amen.