Identity in Christ – Pt 3
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (sound mind).” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
If last week’s post didn’t light a fire in you, then your woods all wet (as Brother Wayne B. Smith used to say). How awesome is it that God has recreated us in Christ for specific purposes that align with His Kingdom will and that He will finish what He started. However, we must remember that He will never force the issue but graciously and lovingly teach, guide, correct and even punish to move us toward that end as long as we will listen and submit.
With this in mind we look at our identity today found in another incredibly reassuring and comforting passage, and yet it is one that is so often manipulated by our flesh for our own selfish ends.
Romans 8:28 tells us that in every situation, circumstance and outcome, God is working for good in and through and to all those who love Him and are called for what…according to His purpose (look back at yesterday’s devo). This is when we are most fulfilled, content and confident when we are finding our purpose not in what we desire but in Him and His desires for they are always selfless, perfect and loving, and far above our thoughts and ways (Isaiah 55:8-11)!
Ultimately this is found in our eternal salvation but it must be lived out in the here and now…for now. This means that my hardship may work in and through me as one who loves God to challenge, encourage and/or bless another, or others, who love God as we are all called according to His purpose and love Him. While it may certainly work out on the individual level it is also much greater than this as it includes the influence and impact that He has through every situation on all who love Him and walk in His will.
Are you seeing His work in your life in every situation and calling it good according to His Word, even when it’s difficult. Are you trusting in His Word or in your emotions and circumstances?
Christ has made it so we can walk in His Love, love for Him and in line with His Kingdom will and purpose as we put our faith in Him. Will you trust Him…no matter what? Do you know Christ as Savior and Lord?
As we continue to thank The Lord for all that He has given us and recreated us to walk in, knowing that we are secure in Him, we look today at the reality, the Truth, that we have been given a spirit of love, power and a sound mind (or discipline). We’ve not been given a spirit of fear or timidity (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT).
By faith this should assure us that no matter what we face, what others say about us, or how the world and culture may look at us, we can walk in confidence, boldness and contentment because we know who we are in Christ. No fear of man, only fear and reverence of God which gives us the wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) to walk out the love and power that He has placed within us and upon us…and the discipline of a sound mind to do so.
What is your confidence and assurance found in? Is it fleeting and shallow because it is rooted in your flesh, the world and its deceptions and ever-changing standards? Or is it in the Way, the Truth and the Life that is Jesus Christ and the Spirit that He has given us?
All those who know Christ as Savior and Lord are no longer slaves to fear because you are a child of God!
We’ve looked at all the ways we are accepted in Christ and have been working through all the ways we are secure in Him. We have a couple more to explore regarding the reality of our security in Him. We are love, forgiven, free, not condemned, always in His Love and many more.
Today we look at the fact that as we receive Christ and are recreated in Him, we are hidden with Christ in God (Colossians 3:2-3). This means that no matter what our trials and struggles, no matter how the enemy may come after us we are assured that we can count on Christ to hide us from anything that would destroy us.
This does not mean that we can live as we please and claim this promise or assurance. The next few verses in Colossians 3:4-17 to on to state how we are to die to the old self of our own natural flesh (selfish, sinful desires) and how we are now to put on the new person in Christ. This is how we are hidden and secure in Him.
It also means that no matter what we face, as we turn to Him by grace in faith, we can know that there will be nothing that can come against us that He doesn’t already know and that He has not already overcome. He will provide the protection as we go through it and a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13)! Through His Word and Spirit He has already provided a way out but we must choose, being hidden in Christ to do so and not choose to satisfy our sinful desires and then wonder why He didn’t “pull us out of” our own selfish choices and actions.
Love and Lordship…Food for Thought – When you choose the Truth that He has provided you will always be able to walk away from that struggle or temptation and/or be strengthened to endure through it because you are hidden with God in Christ! By His Spirit in you, you can choose the power, love and discipline needed to make the decisions in keeping with His Truth…this is the walk of faith that you can have when you are in Christ! Are you secure in your relationship with and in Christ? You can be!
Love and Lordship…Action Items –
- Read the Scriptures in this article and ask The Holy Spirit to teach you.
- Journal what you’ve learned about your identity in Christ in this post.
- Reflect on and write about what it means for you to have a spirit of power, love and self-discipline as you are hidden with God in Christ.
- What does it mean for you to know that He is working all things for good as you love Him and walk according to His purpose? How does this give you confidence to know you can face all struggles and temptations and He provides a way out for you?
Let me know if you have any questions or concerns and we’ll walk through them together in The Lord and His Spirit.
Contact us at loveandlordship@gmail.com to find out more about how you can know God the Father, Christ His Son and The Holy Spirit.