“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” -Galatians 2:20
We live in a very loud world.
Everyone is screaming opinions, thoughts, and beliefs, always claiming they are the sole holders of the truth. However, when truth is subjective, there is nothing tangible to cling to. A result of this, unfortunately, spills into how we view ourselves. Without truth, we do not know who we are. Purpose is asking to see your identification, but all you can offer up is a fake.
Everyone wants to cling to something. They seek purpose in a Myers Briggs, dreams from an ‘influencer’, and identity in a number. Are we really so fickle to set who we are on something ever-changing? Is there truth in a world that changes by the second?
Our issue runs into where we look for truth and where we find our identity. Truth cannot be subjective, ever.
Scripture is very clear about who we are:
“Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”
-Ecclesiastes 7:20
“among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”
-Ephesians 2:3
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.”
-Romans 3:23
At our core, we are sinful. But what does that mean about who we are in relation to God?
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
-Romans 6:23
Death is ultimately the consequence of our sin nature, we deserve God’s wrath. But, the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus! Jesus took the wrath of God so that by His grace alone, for His glory alone, we can accept that atonement for our sins. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on a cross, and rose again so that we can live. Instead of living in the false identities of the world, we can accept the new title of “child of God”. Once this title is given, it cannot be taken away. Clinging to the God of the universe will give us a firm foundation to stand and live on.
Without understanding who we are apart from Christ, we can never understand what it truly means to live for Him. We must die to our old ways crucifying our flesh, and picking up the identity of living for Him. “Dying to self” doesn’t mean we become inactive or insensible, nor do we feel ourselves to be dead. Rather, this means that the things of the old life are put to death, most especially the sinful ways and lifestyles we once lived in. “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires” -Galatians 5:24.
Where we once chased after our selfish pleasures, we now pursue, with equal drive, that which pleases God.
In a world of half-truth and changing opinions, where can we find truth?
In a time that tells us that our identity is defined by a mere number or pattern of the stars, how can we know who we are?
Truth is found in the infallible word of God. This truth points to the wonderful work done by Jesus on the cross. A truth that takes the spotlight off man and directs it towards the Creator of man.
Seek your identity in the Unchangeable.
Die to self, live for Him.
For His glory,
Hailey
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