How Do We Build an Everlasting Identity in Jesus?
We do so by eagerly seeking heavenly truths above, living by faith, and not by giving our attention to the temporal musings of this world.
When we seek the things that are above, the desires of our heart align with His Kingdom, and the things of this world have so much less influence on our lives and we find it becomes easier to understand the nature of heaven, and place our trust in the things of God.
When we begin to believe in the truth of scripture and His promises, then we instinctively learn to NOT place our trust in the temporary things of this world which from an eternal perspective, are simply lies that will only perish.
Whether we’ve been chasing the false promises of money and possessions, or believing that fulfillment is found in more power or in greater accomplishments, or that happiness is found in the elusive love of other people, then we have not built our foundation for life upon Jesus and we have been deceived by the lust and worries of this world.
It’s so important to find our identity in following Jesus so that we can stop elevating our own thoughts above God’s truths, and stop allowing our fallen emotions to manipulate our hearts, and stop allowing the earthly troubles of our day to dictate our joy as eternal citizens of heaven.
The process fairly simple; when we daily surrender our lives, our hearts, and our desires to God (deny ourselves), and fill ourselves with the truth of His word, then by faith, we become transformed by God’s grace.
It’s an amazing and beautiful transformation that God does in us as we seek Him and surrender ourselves to be conformed into His image. Reading the Word and setting our hearts to align with His desires for us, allows His Grace to shape us and etch us as the potter who transforms us into a unique creation for His glory.
When we fully surrender to Him, we become filled with such light and the power of His spirit, that the voice of the temptation and the enemy loses it’s power over us, as we are no longer slaves to sin. By shifting our hearts from desiring the world, to desiring more of Him, we fulfill the scripture that says, “22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, 23 but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”
When we fill our eyes and heart with the things above “light” pierces the darkness in our own hearts, and it becomes easier to “put to death our old nature” and walk rightly restored (righteous by faith) in the image God with all that He created us to be. Only then, by faith can we unlock the potential of the righteousness we’ve been given through Christ and experience the transforming power of His grace which allows us to walk in greater Godly confidence and carry that light to the world and share the love of God in its fullness as He intended. Only then, can we walk in our new identity in Christ fulfilling the destiny God intended for each of our lives, and become sons and daughters of the most high God in heaven above.
When we do this, we fulfill what Paul wrote in Romans 8:19 “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”
Surely now is our time to be revealed!
May God bless this revelation!
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Scott L
4/20/2013
Colossians 3
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: impurity, passion, evil desire, sexual immorality, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Thank you for this post! Discovering who we are in Christ is the most important key to operating in our purpose. You can’t fully know or execute your purpose in life if you don’t know your true identity. I am seeking mine and enjoying the journey. I pray you remain faithful and be encouraged!