Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NKJV)
Salvation is the gateway to true identity. It is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ that we have been given access to our inheritance as sons and daughters of the Living God. For many, the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior stops with the desire to ‘make it to heaven’. A prayer is said, rules are followed, but there is no transformation of the heart. “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts” (Proverbs 17:3).
Paul had a burden for the Corinthians, “But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). He was well aware of Satan’s ability to shift God’s truth and lead men into deception. This is a very real issue in our society today. Look at the way that there is such a fight over identity in our current culture. This generation is being overloaded with imagery and language that distorts their ability to anchor to their true identity. In certain circles, men have lost their identity as father and husband. The Bible very clearly states that, “…When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and female and blessed them…” (Genesis 5:1-2). There is safety in the Word of God! There is a foundation of truth in the pages of the Bible that protects us from the deception of the world.
We must anchor the Body of Christ in their identity as son and daughters of the Living God. With this comes a new nature. When we are born again, we are truly new creations. We can have a hard time understanding this reality, but that is where praying the pages of the Bible is helpful. Use the words as a conversation with the King. Ask Him questions. He will answer.
Do not fall into the danger zone of thinking that you are “a sinner saved by grace.” Friends, before you submitted to Jesus you WERE a sinner. Now you carry the Spirit of the Living God in you! You are new! Our lives are a constant journey of understanding this. There is so much more to know! There is so much more of Jesus! Do not hear what I am not saying. It is not a matter of not sinning. We are all in the process of sanctification. What I am saying is that although we may still sin, our hearts are different. “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him” (1 John 3:6). It is in the active state of abiding in Jesus Christ that keeps us living our identity as sons and daughters of God. None of us abide 100% of the time. This is a journey we are all on. We must constantly hold phrases like, “Search me, God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23), before us.
Think of your life. In the times when you are truly abiding in Jesus, you have a fruit that bears witness to this reality. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Let me remind you that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Do you manifest this fruit? Fruit can be a thriving ministry, but don’t forget the fruit of the new creation that is made manifest in our identity. We are called to this. Even “the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed” (Romans 8:19). How much more so do we owe that to our fellow man?
Without remaining in, abiding in Christ, being aware of our identity in Christ, and living it out as our understanding increases, we can fall prey to the lies of the world. Saints, walk in your identity. The key to this is abiding in Jesus. Stay close to Him. He is our hope!
