Who are we?
Our family strongly believes we live an abundant life based out of who we are. We agree with Paul. In many of his epistles he starts his letters with building the church up by describing their identity in Christ and then he moves on to describe how they are to live based on who they are.
Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
We believe Christ is our only way to God. Only His payment for our sins makes us right with God. By our faith alone in Christ’s death for our forgiveness of sin are we given the promise of eternal life. Nothing we can do. The moment we believe this we gain an inheritance of spiritual blessings. We are made free from sin and Satan, we are made alive, we are victorious, we are made righteous in Christ. We are no longer an enemy, but a friend of God and His child. God’s Spirit lives in us guiding and directing us. This is our new identity. We are not to live out of guilt, shame, or compulsion to behave, but live in light of these truths. To walk in the Spirit is to believe who God says we are and allow Him to direct our steps.
Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Who we Are: Our sin nature has been judged through Christ’s death and we have been made alive in Christ through His resurrection. We are now hidden in Christ.
How to Live: Because of our identity we can and should be motivated to live with an eternal perspective. Not living as if Christ did not die for our sins, but to live as if He is our life. To set our minds on things that last forever, not live for the things of this earth that will pass away.
In our living room I made a reminder for us, of who we are in Christ.
Sometimes we sin and need a reminder that God has, first of all, made us new. We have a new identity that is no longer a slave to sin or Satan. We can choose to walk according to the Spirit. Second, no matter what we do God still sees us through Christ’s righteousness. Our identity does not change when we fall. He still loves us and we are still in Christ. We only need to confess our sin to gain continued fellowship with God. Our sins are already forgiven. When the kids sin I point to their identity and remind them God has forgiven them and they are forever His.
Let us remember our identity and live out of it, allowing Christ to be our life.
